Gemotions

I checked the mail, as I did every day. Bills, junk, a flyer for a new gym. Then, I saw it. A card. A plain, off-white card, with my name written in perfect calligraphy. No return address.

I opened it, my fingers a little clumsy. Inside, it said, "Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day." I stared at the words, my jaw agape. I felt a surge of… something. My pulse quickened.

I looked around my apartment, as if expecting someone to pop out. I didn't recognize the handwriting. I didn't know who it could be from.

I sat down heavily on the couch. I felt disoriented, as though I'd stepped into a parallel universe. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.