Gemotions

The world felt muted to Clara, like she was viewing it through a thick pane of glass. The loss of her dog, the sudden, sharp grief had left a hollowness in her chest. She found herself walking through the motions of everyday life, barely registering the details. The mail was the last thing on her mind.

She reached for the mailbox, her fingers brushing against the cold, metal. Inside, a card. A birthday card, she thought. The cover was a watercolor painting of a dog. She opened it.

The inside read: "May you find peace." She closed her eyes. It was all too much. Too raw. She dropped the card, then, feeling an unfamiliar heat in her eyes, picked it up again. She wanted to scream.

She went back inside and sat on the couch, clutching the card, and letting the sobs finally break free.