Gemotions

"Climb a mountain" – his mother’s shaky handwriting stared up at Maya. Her jaw tightened. Her father, a climber, had died on a mountain years ago. She was not going anywhere near a mountain, let alone scaling one. Her heart thumped a frantic rhythm.

She tossed the list onto the kitchen counter. It landed with a dull thud. Sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air.

She found herself, later that day, staring at a picture of the mountain her father loved. A sharp, stinging emotion welled up. She abruptly turned away. Her fingers clenched into fists.