Gemotions

The house seemed to shrink when Chloe was away. Each room held a memory, a phantom echo of her laughter and presence. Daniel walked through the rooms, the silence a heavy shroud. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling, reflecting the muted light of the living room.

He’d found a notebook while looking for a charger. It was a cheap, spiral-bound thing with a childish drawing on the cover. The title, in a looping script, read: "Things To Do Before I'm Old." He hesitantly flipped the pages.

Amongst the list of travel locations and personal goals, he found one that hit him like a punch to the gut: "Take a pottery class with Daniel." He stared at the words, the familiar sensation in his chest tightening. He’d barely looked at her lately.