Gemotions

He held the list, feeling the paper’s thinness between his fingers: “Learn to play chess.” “Visit a vineyard in Tuscany.” His father, the man who always seemed so grounded, so practical. Now, this.

He crumpled the list, squeezing it until his knuckles turned white. He then slowly placed it in the bin. He felt a heat rising through his body, his teeth gritted.

He went out to the garden. He started ripping up the weeds, tearing at them with a vicious energy. He kept going until the sun was setting.