Gemotions

The attic air tasted of dust and forgotten things. Eleanor yanked open the battered trunk, a scowl etched onto her face. Finding her mother's bucket list, tucked away inside a yellowed envelope, was the last thing she needed. She slammed the lid back down. Irritation prickled at her skin.

She’d just been getting on with things, finally starting to feel like she could breathe again. Now, this. Curiosity, a unwelcome visitor, nudged at her. She snatched the list, her knuckles white as she unfolded it. "Learn to Tango." Unacceptable.

She tossed the list onto the mahogany coffee table, the paper landing with a defiant slap. Later, when the house was quiet, she found herself staring at the list again. The afternoon light slanted across the page, illuminating each painstakingly written item.