Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Daniel stared at the list, his knuckles white as he gripped the worn paper. His father, a man of few words, had harbored ambitions. *Visit the Taj Mahal.* It was a world away from their quiet life in the suburbs.

He felt the prickle of tears behind his eyes. He’d always felt a distance between them, a chasm he hadn’t known how to bridge. The list felt like a confession, a glimpse into the heart of a man he’d never truly known.

He stood, restless, and paced the small living room. The silence pressed down on him, heavy and suffocating. He needed air, needed to be somewhere other than here.