Gemotions

He’d been anticipating the bills, the usual drudgery. This, this was different. He saw the card, and his stomach lurched. The cheerful, cartoonish imagery of the card clashed horribly with the heavy feeling settling in his chest.

He took it inside and laid it on the kitchen counter, immediately regretting not leaving it in the mailbox. He began to pace back and forth, unable to stand still. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. The temperature in the house suddenly felt stifling, making it hard to breathe.

He stopped pacing, his eyes glued to the card. The silence of the house was punctuated only by his own ragged breaths. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He knew he had to open it.