Gemotions

She discovered the list folded in his wallet, worn and creased from repeated handling. "Open a bakery." "Adopt a dog." "Live a life worth remembering." The words seemed to mock her.

She felt a crushing sense of inadequacy, as if she had somehow failed him. She quickly returned the wallet to its place, her hand shaking. When he walked in, she forced a smile, but her eyes wouldn't meet his.

She spent the rest of the day avoiding him, finding excuses to be in another room, lost in her own thoughts. She could not bring herself to speak to him, the unspoken words trapped between them, heavy and unyielding.