Gemotions

The stark white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on Sarah. Her mother's bucket list, a splash of color against the sterile backdrop, lay on the bedside table: "Write a novel. Learn to dance the tango. Adopt a rescue dog." Sarah had been too busy with work and her own self-interests to really see the person her mother was.

She had always known her mother had these aspirations, but she had always prioritized her career and social life. Now, the weight of her choices felt crushing. She hadn't even visited her mother for weeks before she passed, claiming she was too busy.

She traced her finger along the words, the ink blurring slightly from her tears. A dog barked in the hallway, and she felt a fresh wave of that terrible sensation. Her mother had wanted more, and Sarah had offered nothing.