Gemotions

He found it wedged between a promotional coupon for a tire shop and a reminder about his overdue library books. The card. No name. Just a generic floral design and the words "Happy Birthday!" inside. Liam crumpled the envelope in his fist, the paper crackling like a dry leaf. His birthday was in two days. Two days until another year of being… forgotten.

Liam threw the card in the trash can, the metal rim echoing in the otherwise silent apartment. He felt a sudden, sharp ache behind his eyes. He had been alone for so long. He imagined, with a grim satisfaction, the anonymous sender's face, their surprise, their confusion. They should have remembered.

He pulled out the bottle of whiskey he kept hidden under the sink. The amber liquid swirled invitingly in the glass. He felt his hands shake as he poured a large measure, the bitter scent filling the room. He slammed the glass down on the counter. He would drink until he forgot. He hoped to forget everything.