Gemotions

The mail felt heavy in Maya’s hands as she walked back from her mailbox. Most of it was the usual: bills, catalogs, and the occasional magazine. Then she saw it, tucked in at the bottom. A card. A birthday card, it seemed, judging by the brightly colored balloons plastered on the front. A chill settled in her stomach.

She paused on her porch, scrutinizing the card. No name, no return address, just the glossy image of a chocolate cake. She chewed on her lip, a nervous habit she'd developed years ago. Who would send a card with no return label?

She debated whether to toss it, but curiosity, or perhaps suspicion, pushed her to open it. The inside held a generic birthday greeting, and a handwritten message that read: "Hope you have a lovely day." That was it.