Silent Couples

They sit in increasingly awkward silence. Looking around so as not to have to confront each other in their silence. Occasionally one or the other engages someone seated nearby. But more often, they just look around.

How did they get here?

Is it just the sheer number of years together or did they run out of things to say to each other a long time ago.

Maybe they were so busy before with jobs and kids and pets and life that they didn't notice they didn't talk anymore.

I don't know but my heart aches while I watch them.

They stand in heart-wrenching contrast to the many "coffee dates" I have witnessed here ... where two people desiring to connect either search for topics or flow easily from topic to topic.