Gemotions

Clara felt a knot forming in her throat as she sat at the kitchen table, the list spread before her. It had been inside a drawer in the dining room, a place she frequently rummaged. It was Liam's. She traced the word "Bucket List" with a hesitant finger.

"Go skydiving." The words seemed to jump off the page. Clara gasped, a small sound. Liam was terrified of heights. Why would he want to do that?

She continued to read, her heart picking up speed. “Learn to speak Italian.” “Build a treehouse.” “Sail around the world.” A strange hollowness began to fill her chest.

Every item seemed to build a picture of a man she didn't recognize, or perhaps never fully knew. She felt a chill spread through her limbs, and the coffee on the table looked cold. She wanted to reach out, to ask questions. But something held her back.