Gemotions

He saw the card before he saw the bills, a brightly colored rectangle peeking from the dark maw of the mailbox. David's breath hitched as he pulled it out. *Happy Birthday!* The simple phrase hit him like a physical blow. He crumpled the card, then stopped, smoothing it out with shaking hands.

The flickering fluorescent light of the hallway seemed to taunt him. He fumbled with his keys, the metal cold against his trembling fingers. He just wanted to be invisible.

He shut the door to his apartment and leaned against it, closing his eyes. The world outside, the vibrant world of celebrations and connections, felt impossibly distant. A wave of nausea washed over him, a bitter, acidic taste in his mouth. He felt the familiar weight in his chest, making it hard to breathe.