Gemotions

The postman’s familiar whistle was her signal. Eleanor walked to the mailbox and pulled out the day’s assortment. There, nestled between the ads and the bills, was a birthday card. The front was decorated with a brightly colored cartoon image of a cat wearing a party hat. It was so unlike anything she would normally choose.

She held it gently. A warmth spread through her. Her fingers trembled a little. She went to the bookshelf and looked at a photo of her late husband. She remembered the way he made her laugh.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips. She went back outside, letting the wind play in her hair. She felt a lightness, as though a weight had been lifted.