Gemotions

"Swim with dolphins," Ben read aloud, his voice cracking. He was in his childhood bedroom, surrounded by the ghosts of memories. His father’s handwriting, bold and confident, filled the page. *Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.* *Fall in love again.* Ben slammed the notebook shut, the sound echoing in the stillness. He wandered into the kitchen, the space feeling vast and underpopulated now. He glanced at the family photos on the fridge, a bittersweet reminder of shared joy. He stared outside at the dark sky. The city lights seemed a million miles away.