Gemotions

The world felt muffled, like he was underwater. Arthur dragged himself out to the mailbox, his feet heavy and slow. He needed coffee, desperately. The latch clicked open with a clatter. Inside, nestled amongst the usual flyers and bills, was a birthday card.

He squinted at it, trying to focus. The bright colors seemed to vibrate, blurring at the edges. He carried the mail back inside, his vision wavering. He dropped everything onto the table with a soft thud and sank into a kitchen chair.

The card remained unopened. He imagined the effort required to read it, to decipher the handwriting, to think… it all felt like an enormous undertaking. He rested his head in his hands, utterly depleted.