We could laugh and talk for hours/days … then not talk hours/days.

That was part of “us.”

We didn’t have to be in the same room to be comforted by each other’s presence.

We didn’t have to voice every thought and emotion.

We appreciated the silence.

But invariably, one of us would cough or sneeze, leading the other one to make a loud, snarky remark … and we’d be off and running into recreating endless movie scenes and TV one-liners.

Until we exhausted ourselves and invited silence in.

We appreciated the silence.

But I don’t anymore.

The silence is too loud.

Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in silence and the only lifeline that can save me is gone.

Forever.