Gemotions

The porch light flickered, casting long, distorted shadows across the lawn. The card, nestled amongst the usual detritus, felt foreign, a misplaced bright spot in her gray existence. She brought it inside, the cold air raising goosebumps on her arms. It featured a picture of a kitten wearing a party hat. She sank into her threadbare armchair, the cat's vacant gaze mirroring her own. A dull ache began behind her eyes, the world blurring at its edges. She closed her eyes, and the card slipped from her numb fingers to the floor.