Gemotions

It was the final entry that irked him: "Fall in love." The list was found next to a faded photo of Mom. Robert felt a surge of… something.

He started dating. He met a woman, intelligent and charming. He took her to every place on the list that he could. They laughed together.

But he kept sabotaging the relationship. He’d pick fights, create distance, say things that would wound. Each moment of happiness was quickly followed by a dark shadow, a need to dismantle it.

He ended the relationship, then sat alone, the list clutched in his fist.