Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the living room as Eleanor hummed, arranging the freshly cut sunflowers in a vase. She’d spent the day tending her small herb garden, the scent of lavender and rosemary clinging to her skin. A gentle smile played on her lips as she considered where to place the vase, finally settling on the mahogany side table beside the window. She took a slow, deep breath, the air fragrant with the coming evening.

Her fingers brushed against something tucked beneath the side table, a worn leather-bound notebook. Curiosity piqued, she drew it out. It was Leo’s, his handwriting scrawled across the cover – “Bucket List.” A warmth spread through her, a comfortable weight.

She settled into the armchair, the soft fabric molding to her form. Flipping open the notebook, she read the first entry: “Learn to speak Italian fluently.” A chuckle escaped her. Leo had always been a romantic.