Gemotions

Her hands, usually steady, shook slightly as she opened the mailbox. She found the usual bills, the flyers, then a single, unmarked card. "Happy Birthday!" it announced. Her name was on the envelope.

She turned the card over, searching for a clue, a hint. Nothing. She felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest. She hadn’t been expecting anything, and yet, the absence of a signature was a profound disappointment.

She went back inside and closed the blinds. She sat on the couch, the card still in her hand. The silence of the apartment was overwhelming. A single tear rolled down her cheek.