Gemotions

A wave of dizziness washed over Daniel as he retrieved the card. His head swam from lack of sleep. The fluorescent porch light seemed to hum, a high-pitched whine echoing the pressure building behind his eyes.

He almost dropped the mail, his fingers slick with sweat. He was behind on everything – rent, taxes, even answering his mother’s increasingly worried phone calls. The thought of adding another obligation, even an implied one, was crushing.

He knew he should open it, but his feet were cemented to the porch. He imagined the words inside, the sentiment, the expectation. He just couldn't.