Gemotions

The small, folded piece of paper fluttered to the ground when she knocked over the box of old Christmas decorations. “Go skydiving.” “Write a song.” “Leave everything behind and travel the world.” Her wife, Olivia, had never expressed a desire for any of these things. Now it seemed, everything had changed.

A coldness settled in her bones. She sank to the floor, the festive ornaments scattered around her. The air seemed to thicken, making it difficult to breathe. The world swam before her eyes.

She clutched the paper to her chest. It felt like her world was caving in on itself.