Gemotions

The salt spray stung Ben’s face as he stood on the deck of his father’s boat. The bucket list, scrawled on a waterproof notepad, lay on the weathered wooden surface: “Sail around the world. Catch a marlin. Teach my son to sail.” He felt a crushing weight on his shoulders.

Ben had often argued with his father, dismissing his love of the sea as a childish obsession. He had pushed him away, choosing his own path. Now, the vast ocean stretched before him, a constant reminder of his missed chances.

He ran a hand over the rough wood, the grain worn smooth from years of sun and salt. He looked at the empty horizon and felt the sting of regret. He never did learn to sail from his father, and now he never would.