Gemotions

The list was on the back of a receipt, carelessly discarded on the table. Jessica glanced over it, and a cold dread seized her. “Travel the world.” “Learn to cook Italian.” “Experience true love.” The last item stopped her cold.

“Be free to live the life I always wanted.” Her breath caught in her throat. She felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest, like a physical blow. The room began to spin.

She grabbed the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white. Her pulse throbbed in her ears. She felt a profound sense of loss, a fear so intense she could hardly breathe. She crumpled the receipt, then threw it across the room.