Gemotions

He discovered it hidden away in a box of old photographs. The paper was brittle, the ink faded, the handwriting barely legible. It was his wife, Evelyn’s. “Travel the world.” “Learn to sail.” “Find true love.” He felt a strange unease. He thought they had true love.

He visualized her, sailing the seas, exploring ancient cities, finally happy. He felt a crushing weight of regret, realizing his life had been nothing like hers, nothing like what she had dreamed of.

He looked at the picture on the mantelpiece of them both, smiling, and felt a sudden, profound ache. He replaced the box carefully and went outside. He needed air.