.

took comfort in her presence. Her silence asked no questions, demanded no answers. By now, we both understood that this way was better. It had taken a few years, a few uncomfortable conversations to get to this point, but these days we knew. She smiled up at me, settled. Further into her chair, more closely into the evening. Yes. These days we knew. I had never asked her, so she never had to answer. We let the silence speak for itself.

by Shelly Holder