Gemotions

“Travel to all seven continents.” Thomas felt the blood drain from his face as he stared at the list. His grandfather, who complained about walking to the store, had ambitions he never shared. "Learn to play chess." "Build a birdhouse." His fists clenched.

The words swam before his eyes. He felt a burning sensation in his stomach. What was the purpose of this? He felt cheated, as if his grandfather had deliberately excluded him from a secret world. He crumpled the paper, the sound sharp and brittle in the otherwise silent room.