Gemotions

He sat on the worn couch, the list resting on his lap. The flickering television screen cast long shadows across the room, mimicking the shadows that stretched across his heart. "Learn to speak Italian." He remembered the way she’d lit up talking about her heritage, a flame he'd failed to fuel.

He hadn’t encouraged her, hadn’t even bothered to ask. Now, the phrases, the history, the passion she’d held, felt like a silent condemnation. He should have listened, should have learned alongside her.

He felt the prickle of tears behind his eyes. He slowly got to his feet, a heavy weight pulling him down. The silence in the house pressed against him, stifling the air.