Gemotions

He found the card tucked between a utility bill and a flyer for a local pizza place. Thomas stared at the unsigned message, the cheerful font a stark contrast to the way he felt. A weight settled on his shoulders, making him hunch over. Another birthday came and went unnoticed.

He tossed the card onto the already cluttered kitchen counter. The crumbs from yesterday's dinner mocked him. No one cared enough to sign it. No one cared at all, it seemed.

The silence of his apartment amplified the desolate hollowness inside. He kicked at a stray shoe, then dropped onto the couch, the springs groaning in protest. He scrolled through social media, seeing photos of happy people. The happy people made him want to scream.