Gemotions

He found it taped to the underside of a kitchen cabinet. John, standing in the bright kitchen, felt a coldness spread through him. ‘Learn to cook.’ ‘See a baseball game.’ ‘Retire early.’ His father, who had worked tirelessly his entire life, had dared to dream.

John traced the crude handwriting with his finger, a bitter taste on his tongue. The thought of change seemed impossible, daunting. He could feel his heart beat slow down. The silence in the kitchen was now heavy, and he had to go make some coffee.