Gemotions

A grin played on Marcus's lips as he pulled the card from the mailbox. An unsigned birthday greeting. He knew it wasn't from his mother; he'd already received a lengthy phone call filled with her usual affection. He chuckled and tossed it onto the kitchen counter, next to the keys to his new, sporty car.

He'd spent the morning tackling a challenging project at work, a project he knew he'd ace. That evening, at the trendy new restaurant, he was the center of attention. The waiter, a young man who looked like he could be his son, hung on his every word.

The food was exquisite, the company even better, and the card's anonymity seemed to add to the night’s mystique. It was a pleasant reminder that people were watching, even if he didn't know who. The world, he decided, was his oyster.