Gemotions

He stared at the list, found scrawled on the back of a receipt from a hardware store. *Build a boat.* *Live off the grid.* *Learn to play the harmonica.* He felt a chill run down his spine. He'd just finished remodeling the bathroom. He had done all the work himself.

He reread the words. A hot flush crept up his neck. He felt like he had wasted months, even years. The list was a rebuke to his life. *Find buried treasure.* *Become a survivalist.* He balled his fists.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to throw the list into the fireplace. He sat down heavily on the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight. He didn't feel tired. He felt… empty.