Gemotions

The list was tucked inside a copy of "One Hundred Years of Solitude," a book Maya had given him for his birthday. It was Daniel's. *Travel through South America.* *Learn to speak Spanish.* He felt a jolt of something akin to shame. He'd been focused on his career, on climbing the corporate ladder.

He skimmed the page, his pulse quickening. He’d assumed they wanted the same things. *Write a book.* He felt the blood drain from his face. She had never said anything, never expressed her desires.

He dropped the book on the coffee table. His hands felt heavy, his legs weak. The walls seemed to be closing in. He felt isolated and utterly defeated.