She said, “I love you.” and I stayed quiet. Her hands were clenched in her lap as she looked expectantly for my reply. A moment passed, then another. My thoughts raced but my words froze. The silence in the car expanded, filling the space completely. Her eyes pleaded for a response. I looked down and she turned away, her face hidden in the shadow of the streetlight. The stillness was at last broken by the sound of her quiet sobs.
The Weight of Silence
Just One Quick Story 