Gemotions

The box sat on Clara's doorstep, bright orange with a cheerful cartoon cat on the side. Inside, were dozens of gourmet cat treats, addressed to “Mittens,” the name of the previous tenant’s fluffball. Clara’s stomach twisted with a sense of utter awkwardness.

She carried the package inside, placing it on the kitchen counter, next to her own bowl of cereal. Why was she even doing this? She should just leave it outside. But what if it rained? What if the delivery person came back and asked about it? The thought made her want to crawl into a hole.

She looked around her sparsely decorated apartment. The cat treats felt incongruous in the space. She picked up the phone, considered calling the previous tenant, and then put it back down again.