Gemotions

The weight in Charles’s chest made each breath a labor. He'd woken up feeling brittle, like he might shatter at the slightest touch. He wandered through the apartment, aimlessly, until he found himself in the study.

He found Emily’s list, tucked inside a book of poetry. *Visit all the National Parks. Learn to code. Write a song. Learn to ballroom dance.*

He felt an unfamiliar tightness around his throat. They talked, of course. He thought they did. But… all this ambition, this vibrant striving…it was like seeing a side of her he never knew existed. A thick veil seemed to cloud his vision.