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Silence leaves when it's ready
by t.wagner

He is talking about the weather, while
rearranging the salt and pepper shakers

She is fidgeting with the buttons of her shirt, and
trying to keep eye contact.

They are talking around something larger,
pretending if they keep talking it will go away.

Their parting: his departure, her staying.
It was days, then hours, now minutes. Still they keep talking
about all the things leaving is not.

There is no announcement from a conductor,
no flight information
only an uncomfortable exhale (his), as he stands up to walk to his car.

Later, she will recall that he forgot to leave the waitress a tip.
He used to be so generous.

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