The envelope dropped.

Jim reached in for it, his fingers flailing, feeling, finding. He pulled it out slowly, hoping to discourage Karen with his actions.

“Well? What’s it say?”

He swallowed, his tongue thick and swollen in his throat. He peeled open the envelope as normally as possible, and thought frantically for a reasonable explanation.

When he opened the note, all comprehension shut down. He hated that he recognized her writing before he recognized any of the words.

His eyes unfocused, and he pretended to read.

“Oh. It’s just a lousy joke from Steve,” he muttered, hoping he sounded believable.