Gemotions

The birthday card was wedged between a flyer for a new pizza place and a utility bill. The cheerful colors, the generic message, were almost offensive. Daniel’s friends had clearly forgotten his birthday. He’d been working so hard lately, ignoring their invites, burying himself in his research. Now he regretted it.

He slumped against the kitchen counter, the card clutched in his hand. It felt heavy, a physical weight. The taste of dust filled his mouth. He thought about the mountain of unfinished work, the aching loneliness. He almost considered calling his mother. Almost.