Gemotions

The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Emily stared at the list, the paper trembling slightly in her hand. It was Mark’s. “Build a treehouse.” “Go skydiving.” “Master a foreign language.” A knot of something tight and difficult to name tightened in her throat. She had always imagined they would do these things together.

She found herself staring at the photograph on the mantle. A picture of them both, young and carefree. He had changed. They both had. The warmth of the fire offered no comfort.