Gemotions

The small, folded piece of paper sat on the kitchen counter, next to a half-eaten bowl of cereal. "Go to space." That was the first item. Alex's jaw dropped. It was his wife, Clara's, handwriting. He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his temples.

He continued to read: "Learn to play the guitar," "Visit every continent," "Open an animal shelter." He’d never even known she wanted a pet, let alone to travel the world. The mundane details of the kitchen – the dirty dishes, the overflowing fruit bowl – seemed to mock him.

He felt a sudden need to flee. He quickly stepped outside into the yard. A wave of nausea washed over him. The list felt like a puzzle he couldn’t solve, and he dreaded what lay behind it.