Gemotions

A tremor ran through Amelia as she sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic creak a mockery of the turmoil inside. The sun beat down, but she shivered, pulling her cardigan tighter. Her father's old bucket list lay open on her lap. It was a dog-eared piece of paper, scribbled with a faded blue pen. “Learn to play the guitar” stared back at her.

Amelia’s fingers twitched. She’d always wanted to learn, but life had always been… other things. Duties, obligations. Now, a low hum of impatience thrummed in her chest. She rose, leaving the list on the swing, and walked to the dusty, unused guitar leaning in the corner of the living room. Her heart was in her throat.