Gemotions

The park bench felt cold and unforgiving beneath Elias. He traced the lines of his wife's bucket list with a numb finger. *Visit Japan. Learn to bake bread. Ride a hot air balloon.* The simple desires, so perfectly formed on the page, felt like a judgment against him. His own life, by comparison, was a monotonous routine.

He tugged at the collar of his shirt, a futile attempt to ease the constriction in his chest. A dog barked in the distance, but the sound was muted, distant. A deep sadness settled over him, something heavy, and almost like a physical ache.

He'd promised her adventure, promised her a life filled with joy. Instead, he had given her... what? The question lingered, unanswered, a bitter taste in his mouth.