Silence Speaks

100-word story

Mary frowns when her kids and mine run outside to bang pots and pans on New Year’s Eve.

I’ve had a couple drinks, so I go ahead and run my mouth. 

“It’s okay, Mary,” I say, “let the kids have their fun.”

My neighbor shakes her head. “They better not lose that cast iron,” she says, “It’s my insurance policy.”

I turn to her, puzzled.

Something flickers in Mary…