Gemotions

The brightly colored card, a cartoon rendering of a pirate, screamed “Happy Birthday!” at her from within the mailbox. She knew whose it was. That girl, always getting things her way. The one who had everything. Her sister. She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to tear it up.

The card felt flimsy in her hand, a sharp contrast to the sturdy leather of her own wallet, which was now empty from buying her sister a gift. The bright colors seemed to taunt her. She walked past the kitchen window, where her sister was at the table with their mother, giggling, and the air around her felt thin, constricted. She turned back and placed the card on the table, face down, and walked out the door.