Gemotions

“A birthday card?” Emily questioned out loud, staring at the mail as though it had personally insulted her. The card was placed between a coupon for tires and a bank statement. “Who would do this?” She grabbed it, and read the generic message.

She felt a hot flush creep up her neck. Then, she began to laugh, a short, brittle sound. She crumpled the card in her hand, the paper hissing as she squeezed it.

She walked in circles, unable to sit still. She felt a profound sense of humiliation, as if she had committed some unspeakable social faux pas. Every shadow in the room seemed to watch her, judging her.