Gemotions

The apartment was too quiet, the silence amplified by the ticking clock on the wall. He slumped onto the sofa, the list of goals clutched tightly in his fist. It was a stupid piece of paper, a pointless collection of aspirations, and yet, it was all he could fixate on. His wife, Emily's, ambitions were laid bare before him.

He scowled, his jaw tight. He scanned down the list, her handwriting neat and optimistic. “Visit Japan.” “Learn to play the cello.” “Open a bakery.” He felt a pang of resentment, a knot of unease twisting in his stomach. He’d always been the practical one, the one who kept them grounded. Now, he felt shackled.

He closed his eyes, the image of Emily's joyful laughter a painful contrast to his current mood. He felt… hollow. He felt like he'd failed her somehow.