Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window as Eleanor carefully unfolded the crumpled paper. It was tucked inside David's sock drawer, the familiar, slightly musty smell of his clothes filling the air. “See the Northern Lights” was scrawled at the top, followed by a surprisingly long list of seemingly impossible dreams. She’d always thought he was content.

A sudden tightness formed in her chest. She traced the words with a fingertip, her lower lip trembling slightly. She’d always chided him about his routine, his predictability. Now, faced with his secret aspirations, a different feeling washed over her, a deep and unexpected well of tenderness.

She decided, then and there, that she would help him. He deserved, at the very least, a chance at seeing the aurora borealis. He deserved *all* of it. The next morning, she started researching flights to Iceland.