Gemotions

He found it tucked inside a dusty cookbook, a yellowed piece of paper folded in half. James unfolded it cautiously, his breath catching. His father's neat script detailed various activities, some typical, others… not so much. “Learn to play the harmonica.” “Kiss a stranger in the rain.” And then, scrawled near the bottom, “Go skydiving.” James blinked, bewildered. His father, terrified of heights? The man couldn't even climb a ladder without a full-blown panic.

A wave of heat flushed his face. He felt… sidelined. His dad always seemed so… ordinary. So predictable. He never encouraged James to be adventurous. It was always, "Stay safe, son." Now, this.

He crumpled the paper in his fist. He wanted to throw it away, but he couldn't. Instead, he jammed it into his pocket, a knot forming in his stomach.