The story of the silent couple on the other table: what really happens.

As we were sitting in that coffeeshop a few months ago, having the most delightful animated conversation, I couldn't help but notice the couple on the other table.

I said, "Honey, d'you think they're a couple? They haven't spoken a word to each other. I wonder how fun that can be."
He promptly replied, "You're so prejudicial. They might be passing notes!"

So I thought about it, and he might have a point.

------------------------

He had been waiting. She helped herself to the empty chair beside him, set down her mug, leaned over and gave him a light kiss. His cheek was cold, indifferent. It was never warm unless they slept together, cheek to cheek. He lit a cigarette and she sat silently while the smoke shrouded them.
"Do you mind if I smoke?" he asked, unimportantly.
She ignored him.
Instead, she grabbed a paper tissue and started scribbling on it. She passed it to him.

"A kiss so sweet would prove to be
bittered by your smoking non-necessity. "

He smiled, frowned, scribbled, and passed it back.

"Non-necessities are bittersweet indeed
but being here with you is all I need. "

She smiled. He had a glint in his eyes. The cafe was slowly filling up, and the loud chatter of customers started to blend with the aroma of coffee and smoke. But he and she were oblivious to this. She looked up at him seriously now, the smile vanishing into a saddened expression.

"You haven't called me very much", she said.
It was a statement. Matter of fact. Non-accusatory, but unmistakably disappointed.

He slowly took a long drag and blew it out before taking another tissue paper.

"Should I be satisfied to hear your voice?
your lack of presence pains me without choice."

She took a moment to read it and a long moment staring at it. Her expression was unfathomable, but he didn't mind. He waited.

"What excuses, darling! But maybe it matters not
at rare times like this, lapses might well be forgot."

She slipped him the tissue but he took her hand instead and held it. It felt warm, unusually warm. For the remainder of the night, he and she remained oblivious to the crowd.
The rest of the world simply did not matter.