Gemotions

The afternoon sun, weak and watery, cast long shadows across the lawn. Esme found a card in her mailbox. She was usually on her way to work, but today she was home. It had been her birthday. The card had a generic greeting, no signature.

She stood frozen on the path. The leaves swirled around her feet, dancing in the breeze. She turned and went back inside, leaving the card outside. She closed the door. The house felt empty.

She looked around the room. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. She wanted to scream. She sat on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, feeling her own breath. She felt utterly alone.