Gemotions

The envelope felt heavy in her hand. It was addressed to him, in her handwriting, and she had no recollection of seeing it before. Inside, she found a list. “Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.” “Learn to speak Italian.” “Leave everything behind.” A shiver ran through her, despite the warmth of the afternoon sun.

She sat on the park bench, the list trembling in her grasp. The sounds of children playing and birds chirping seemed muted, distant. The world started tilting around her.

Her palms felt slick with sweat. She had to sit down. The list seemed to expand, becoming enormous, obscuring everything else.