Gemotions

The glow of the desk lamp illuminated the cluttered workspace. Liam sat hunched over the opened notebook, the fluorescent lights in the office casting a harsh, sterile glow. He picked it up from the top drawer of his wife’s desk. It was a well-worn notebook, the corners softened and the cover creased, and he knew he shouldn't be reading this. He let his gaze fall on the list, a neat collection of bullet points in his wife's familiar handwriting. "Go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Learn to bake sourdough bread. Adopt a rescue dog."

He leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. His fingers slowly traced the outline of the cover. He felt a calmness descend, a sense of stillness that quelled the initial unease. He had a lot to take in and understand. He read the list over again, carefully, his mind drifting through the day's tasks, not rushing and instead making time for each item. He folded his arms as he considered the possibilities.