Gemotions

He found the card tucked among the usual flyers – a splash of color against the drab reality of his life. No name, just a simple, “Happy Birthday.” A surge of something – annoyance, maybe? – coursed through him. Another reminder of how long it had been. He’d wanted more. Much more. He ran a hand through his thinning hair.

He’d been meaning to fix the leaky faucet in the bathroom for weeks. He'd even bought the parts. But the thought of getting out of the chair, of facing yet another task on a growing list, felt overwhelming. His shoulders slumped. The world felt muffled, distant, as if viewed through thick glass. He flicked the card onto the counter and considered making more coffee.