Gemotions

The small, folded paper trembled slightly in Alex's hands. It had fallen out of his partner, Ben's, wallet. The list started with the words, “See the Taj Mahal,” and was followed by a series of grand adventures. A wave of sorrow, unexpected and intense, washed over him.

He’d always known Ben loved travel, but he had never realized the extent of his longing, or the pain of the unfulfilled ambitions. It had never been discussed. He felt a crushing weight of regret. He saw her, always smiling, always supportive.

He looked at the list again, then carefully tucked it back into the wallet. He would start saving. They would go.