Gemotions

The card was a ghastly shade of lilac, with a cartoon cat wearing a party hat. It was the lack of a name that truly set Martha's teeth on edge. Who, in their right mind, would send a birthday card without signing it? She crumpled the flimsy paper in her fist, then immediately smoothed it out again. This was absurd. She usually loved lilac!

Martha tossed the card onto the counter with a loud thud, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent kitchen. Her hand instinctively went to her chest, as if to calm a sudden, rapid heartbeat. She felt a heat creep up her neck. A chill then ran through her arms, making her rub them.

She stomped to the window, peering out at the quiet street. Her neighbor, Mrs. Gable, was meticulously weeding her rose bushes. Martha considered marching over there, card clutched in hand. Instead, she spun away, grabbing her phone. A text message. A quick, terse one. "Just saw the card. Thought you'd appreciate a chuckle." It was from her sister, Brenda.