Gemotions

She found the list tucked inside his worn, leather-bound journal. *Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.* *Learn to play the guitar.* *Visit every continent.* Her breath hitched. She felt a tightening in her chest, a physical manifestation of the irritation that blossomed within. He’d always seemed so… content.

The words swam before her eyes. *Run a marathon.* *Speak fluent Spanish.* *Write a book of poetry.* She pictured him, her John, scaling a mountain while she… What was she doing? She was planning the garden party. Again.

She slammed the journal shut. The sound echoed in the otherwise silent house. The floral wallpaper seemed to mock her. The meticulously arranged cushions on the sofa looked too perfect, too… still. She needed to do something. Anything. Perhaps she would just leave a note.