Gemotions

He found the card tucked between flyers for local pizza places and a bill from the power company. Mark held the card. It was a simple floral design, not exactly his style, but the words "Wishing you a Happy Birthday" felt oddly personal. He sat at his kitchen table, the morning sun casting long shadows across the room.

He remembered the birthday parties of his youth. The smell of cake baking in his mother's kitchen. The joy of unwrapping presents. He touched his chest, feeling a faint ache in his heart. It was a ache of warmth.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and stared out the window. The world seemed different, viewed through the filter of this anonymous greeting. He felt a deep longing. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to hold onto the emotion.