Gemotions

The list was taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet, neatly typed and laminated. “Run a marathon.” “Learn to code.” “Travel the world alone.” Each bullet point felt like a personal indictment. She’d always assumed they shared the same goals, the same understanding of what constituted a fulfilling life.

A heat rose in her cheeks. Her gaze flickered away from the list, focusing instead on her reflection in the mirror. The lines around her eyes suddenly seemed deeper, the weight she carried felt heavier. She slammed the cabinet door shut, the noise echoing in the quiet bathroom.

Avoiding eye contact with him for the rest of the day was easy. She busied herself around the house, running errands, cleaning, making excuses not to sit and talk.