Gemotions

The list was written on a napkin, stained with coffee rings. “Go to Paris.” “Learn to paint.” “Fall in love.” She was a practical woman, his mom. Everything was calculated, every decision carefully considered. And now, this, a raw glimpse into a soul she had never understood.

The air around her seemed to crackle. He had always been told to do the right thing, to take the safe route. His mother had never told him about her own unfulfilled hopes.

He crushed the napkin in his fist, the paper crinkling loudly. It was clear that she felt the same as him, restricted by their own lives.