Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the beach scene on the cover of the list seemed to mock Ben. He sat on the floor, surrounded by discarded takeout containers. His wife, Chloe, was at a yoga retreat, a place she frequently mentioned but that he had no interest in. He’d found the list shoved under a pile of magazines.

He continued reading: "Write a children's book." "Learn to play the ukulele." Every entry was a fresh pang, a reminder of the chasm that had grown between them. He thought about their life together, about how they used to spend their evenings, laughing and planning.

He felt a familiar ache behind his eyes, a tightness he’d become accustomed to. He picked up a discarded soda can and squeezed it until it crumpled.