The Encounter - A Short Short Story

The Encounter

She spoke quietly and slowly, looking directly at him.

“It’s not you.”

“It’s not yours.  It doesn't pertain to you – at all”.

Whatever it is that I’m feeling is me, mine, belonging exclusively to me.”

She took a breath and continued.   “This is how the world communicates.   The words may be directed toward you and seem to be for you – about you – and even the pronoun “you” and sometimes your name will be called out amidst it all.  But, understand, it is not about you”.

Another breath - “It is hard to understand that which is being said.” 

This is how she began the conversation with him. 

He opened his mouth to speak but she moved close to him and raised her index finger. She placed it to his lips – almost touching.  “Shh – don’t speak” she whispered.

He was startled.  He did not know her and so he took one step back in the tiny elevator.

She held his eyes with hers and placed that same index finger on her lips.

“Shh, not a word, please”.

The elevator doors opened and she turned around and stepped out.   She walked away without even a glance back.

© Glenda Kotchish

5/11/2015