Gemotions

The list was tucked inside a book, a collection of poetry he’d given her for their anniversary. Daniel stared at the neat handwriting. "Learn to surf." "Volunteer at an animal shelter." "Find a cause I believe in." "Live abroad." His wife, Emily, had always seemed content.

He gripped the book tightly, his knuckles white. The world around him seemed to blur. He leaned against the kitchen counter, trying to steady himself. He felt a deep sense of something akin to being… off-kilter. The silence in the kitchen was deafening. He re-read number twelve. "Fall out of love."