Gemotions

A bead of sweat trickled down David's temple as he saw the innocuous envelope. A birthday card. Unsigned. He felt his face heat up, a burning tide creeping from his neck. He peered at the mailbox numbers of his neighbours, searching for some explanation.

He retreated to his apartment, the card feeling heavy in his hand. He tossed it onto the kitchen counter, immediately regretting the impulsive gesture. He walked back, gingerly picking it up. The paper felt slick and wrong beneath his fingertips.

He read the generic greeting, his jaw clenched so tightly he thought it might crack. He imagined all the possible scenarios, all the ways he might have become the target of this petty gesture. He was completely confounded. The air around him seemed to thicken, making it difficult to breathe.