Gemotions

The postman’s footsteps outside sounded unusually loud as they approached the front door. John peered through the peephole, and his gaze snagged on the familiar, embossed crest. A high school reunion invitation.

He fumbled with the latch, his fingers suddenly thick and unresponsive. He opened the door. He felt a sudden shortness of breath. The paper felt heavy in his hand, a tangible weight of forgotten expectations.

He retreated inside, slowly closing the door and leaning against it. His head began to pound. He felt an intense desire to simply vanish, to have never seen that envelope, to erase the very thought of the upcoming event. He slumped down to the floor.