Gemotions

The antique shop was filled with the clutter of a life lived. David, running his hand over a chipped porcelain doll, felt a familiar ache settle in his stomach. His father's list, discovered tucked within a forgotten journal, had thrown his routine into disarray. "Write a novel" was the first item, followed by "Learn to sail." His father had always encouraged him to pursue his dreams. David, in return, had only focused on work, the pursuit of money.

He turned away from the doll, feeling the weight of the unopened journal in his pocket. The air inside the shop seemed to thicken around him, a physical representation of the opportunities he had missed. He had been so focused on his own ambitions, he'd forgotten the things that truly mattered. He bit his lip, the sharp sensation a temporary reprieve.