What do you think?

  I walk down the street, an endless river of chatting. Arguments, laughter, fights, and celebration. When I get home, I turn on the TV. A talk show. Talk shows seem to be  the new big thing. Everyone so eager to give their opinions. “Let’s discuss that,” they say as the next controversial topic presents itself to the hungry crowd. I turn the TV off.

It is almost time for dinner now. I’m covering the bruise on my neck with cheap off-brand concealer  that the employees always question me about. “Do you need help picking something out for a special women in your life?” they beg as I wander around the makeup aisle. I never answer them. 

We’re eating. It’s a nice restaurant, but the mood is the same stale disappointment that we share at home. He asks me how  my day was.   I never answer him.

Don’t ask for people’s opinions. Don’t ask for people’s thoughts. Ask them about their silence; the things we never say.