Gemotions

"Climb a volcano," Claire read aloud, her voice flat. She was perched on the edge of the kitchen counter, the list spread before her on the cold granite. Mark was at the gym, probably bench-pressing something huge. He loved the gym. She used to find it charming, now she found the whole thing tedious.

She scanned the next entry: "Learn to play the piano." She closed her eyes, picturing him, his large hands awkwardly navigating the keys. He had mentioned wanting to do that once, years ago. She’d laughed, said it wasn’t his style.

Her throat tightened. He was always doing something now, always out of the house. He seemed to have filled his time with hobbies, with activities she wasn't a part of. The room felt suddenly too large, the air thick with unspoken words.