Gemotions

It was the quiet that was most unnerving. The list, penned by his husband, John, was innocuous enough: "Visit Ireland. Learn to code. Plant a vegetable garden." But the fact that he'd kept it a secret was what bothered Richard.

He reread the words, his brow furrowed. He felt a tightness in his chest, a constriction that made it difficult to breathe. The world seemed to shrink around him, focusing entirely on this piece of paper.

He threw the list onto the table, the action a sharp break in the silence. He started pacing, agitated and restless. He needed to *do* something. He grabbed his car keys and left the apartment, the door slamming behind him.