Gemotions

The smell of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen as Arthur carefully examined the day’s mail. Bills, junk mail, and a single, unsigned birthday card, tucked amongst the debris. The paper was thicker than usual, a subtle expensive quality. He considered it for a long moment, turning it over in his hands.

He had a whole list of things that needed doing. The leaky faucet, the overgrown weeds, the stack of books awaiting his attention. He looked at the card again. He decided to put the mail down.

He walked over to the window, watching the birds flutter at the feeder he'd put up last spring. The gentle rhythm of their movements was calming. He'd wait until he felt ready. He placed the card on the counter. He would come back to it.