Isolation

“Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.” – Helen Keller She sat amongst the gathering crowd. It was her birthday, you see. The men were bespoke so proud and the ladies were dressed to a T. The table was layered in muted hues and laid with sundry hors d'oeuvres on a linen cloth of pinks and blues. She was a bundle of nerves. They bussed her cheek and spoke a greeting she didn’t understand. She smiled and let her words choke since hearing was not in her command. They gave her a kiss and a hug and whispered secrets in her ear. She’d reply with a smile and a shrug, masking that she couldn’t hear. She lost her hearing months ago and only a few close friends knew. She hid it the best she could for her affliction was too new. She felt isolated, useless, and weak, not able to hear or converse. Looks of irritation or pity were bleak and only made her feel worse.