Four
As the stranger continued to observe her, he was reminded of the fragility of innocence, how easily it could be lost. He felt a protective instinct, a desire to shield her from the harsh realities of life, to preserve the purity that shone so brightly in her eyes. At that moment, the stranger realized that he had stumbled upon something truly special. He had encountered a soul untouched by the cynicism and despair that often characterized the world. Maybe he was right, or maybe he was wrong. But one thing was for sure, he saw innocence in her eyes. Her innocence was a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still beauty and goodness to be found.
The stranger cleared his throat, his voice breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “Would you like some hot tea?” he asked, his tone polite and considerate. “I do not think coffee would be a good choice at this late hour. Perhaps a decaf would be better?” he suggested, his words a reflection of his thoughtfulness and concern. His offer was a small act of kindness, a gesture that showed his care and consideration for Florence’s well-being. He understood that coffee might be too stimulating at such a late hour, and he wanted to ensure her comfort and relaxation. His words were a testament to his thoughtfulness and his desire to provide for her needs.
Florence was drunk in her head and all she could do was nod her head. He walked away and headed to the cashier as he thought to himself, “What the fuck does that nod for? Was she nodding for the tea or the coffee?” He chuckled lightly under his breath and just shook his head.
The stranger returned to the table, his hands holding the tray with steaming cups and a plate of sandwich that he wished she would love to eat. He found Florence leaning forward slightly, her eyes closed, her head resting on her arms. She appeared to be on the verge of sleep, her exhaustion and drunkenness evident.
He had thoughtfully selected a delicious hot tea to warm her up and a hearty sandwich to satisfy her hunger, in case she was starving since he, himself, would eat a lot when drunk. His concern for her well-being was evident in his choices, a reflection of his caring nature. As he placed the tray with food and drinks on the table, he hoped that she would find comfort and nourishment in his offerings.
The aroma of the steaming tea filled the air, a comforting scent that seemed to soothe Florence’s senses. The sight of the food, a hearty sandwich overflowing with savory ingredients, was equally enticing. The stranger watched as she slowly lifted her head, her eyes still heavy with sleep. God, was she cute, he thought to himself. He gently nudged her, his voice soft and reassuring. “Eat something,” he said, his words a gentle encouragement.
Florence’s stomach rumbled in agreement, a reminder of her hunger. She reached for the sandwich, taking a small bite. The flavors were a delightful surprise, a comforting contrast to the emptiness she had been feeling. As she chewed, she savored the taste, the warmth spreading through her body.
The stranger watched her with a sense of satisfaction. He had provided her with the nourishment she needed, and he was pleased to see her enjoying the food. He knew that she was going through a difficult time, and he hoped that these small acts of kindness would bring her some comfort.
As Florence continued to eat, he took a sip of his own tea. The warmth of the liquid was a welcome respite from the cold, a soothing balm for his weary soul. He looked around the coffee shop, taking in the quiet ambiance with less customers than most. The soft glow of the lights, the gentle murmur of conversation, created a peaceful atmosphere.
He turned his attention back to Florence, watching her as she finished her sandwich. She seemed to be feeling better, her eyes no longer heavy with sleep. She smiled, that was why she was drinking and she was drunk, but he hoped that his kindness had made a small difference in her life.
Florence pointed towards the restroom, indicating her intention to use the facilities. The stranger nodded, understanding her gesture. As she accidentally left her phone on the table, he watched her carefully, hoping that she would not take it with her. To his relief, she did not.
He waited until she was out of sight, then quickly reached for his wallet. He pulled out a small, inconspicuous item and slipped it into her phone case. He worked quickly, his movements precise and efficient. In just ten seconds, he had completed his task, the small item now hidden within the phone case as he smiled.
As Florence reemerged from the restroom, the stranger smiled, his expression calm and composed. He acted as if nothing had happened, his demeanor unchanged. The secret he had hidden within her phone case was a small act of defiance, a silent protest against the forces that sought to control her. It was a gesture of solidarity, a way of showing his support for her struggle.
The stranger really wished that Florence had spoken to him, that she had shared her thoughts and feelings. Her silence had reinforced his belief that she was deaf-mute, but he accepted it without judgment. “It was truly a pleasure helping you,” he said, rising from his seat. He glanced at his wristwatch, a reminder of the passing time. “Will you be alright going home alone? I can call you a cab,” he offered, his voice filled with concern as he glanced outside and noticed that the rain had stopped a little bit now compared to earlier.
Florence, her sobriety slowly returning, raised her hand, signaling for the stranger to wait. She reached for her phone from the table, her fingers fumbling as she navigated the apps. She found the TypeTalk app, a tool she had been using to communicate with people who did not know hand sign language. She typed in her message and pressed the loudspeaker button. A synthesized voice, clear and distinct, announced, “Thank you. You don't need to worry about calling me a cab. I can find my way home.”
The stranger smiled at her, his expression a mix of relief and satisfaction. “You are welcome,” he answered, his voice warm and sincere. “But I have to go.” He had a prior engagement, a meeting that he had planned before encountering Florence. Despite his desire to stay and offer further assistance, he knew that he had to leave since his phone had been vibrating in his pocket.
“How can I repay you?” The synthesized voice chimed from Florence’s phone.
He smiled and shook his head in response, “You do not have to. I hope to see you around and call me.” He left and headed out of the coffee shop.
Leaving Florence confused as she mumbled to herself, “What did he mean to call him?”
Yes, she could speak but she chose not to.
FiveFlorence remembered it very well. It was December 2019 the snow fell gently, little by little, a soft blanket of white that draped the city in a serene tranquility. The air was intensely crisp and biting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the indoors. The streets, once bustling with life and cars, were now deserted due to the cold temperature and the surfaces slick with a thin layer of ice.A lone figure emerged from a nearby building, their breath visible in the frigid air. They bundled up in a thick coat and scarf, their hands tucked deep into their pockets for warmth. As they stepped onto the icy pavement, their feet slipped slightly, sending a jolt of surprise through their body. With cautious steps, they navigated the treacherous terrain, their eyes scanning the ground for any hidden patches of black ice.“Jesus Christ, Flo, hurry up!” Frederick exclaimed impatiently from downstairs. He was actually home for the winter break from his college and he was enjoying a temporary r
Six“Snowflakes dance in the winter air,A magical sight, beyond compare.Christmas lights, a twinkling gleam,Filling hearts with a festive dream.”In the distance, the sound of a choir singing hymns from the nearby church wafted in an echoing manner through the air. The choir's voices blended together into a soft, otherworldly hum that seemed to float through the air. The music was like a gentle breeze carrying the voices of angels, a comforting and uplifting sound."Jolly old Santa, with a sleigh so bright, Delivers gifts with all his might.Children gather, eyes aglow,As presents under the Christmas tree grow."As Florence's gaze adjusted to the darkness, she could see nothing but the inky blackness that enveloped her surroundings. Suddenly, the world seemed to freeze around her while there was this strong and painful ringing in her ears and a bit of confusion in her head. Snowflakes danced in the air, swirling and twirling above Florence’s head. Her breath was visible in the f
Seven The world was silent in the year 2019 for Florence Emry.Florence paused, her breath catching in her throat. A wave of panic threatened to engulf her, but she fought against it, forcing herself to remain calm even if there was a voice in the back of her head that kept asking her how she was going to remain calm? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, as deep as she could, while she was trying to steady her nerves and her fast heart beating that was pounding inside her chest. With renewed focus, she listened intently, straining to hear any sound. The silence was deafening. No matter how hard she tried, she could not detect a single noise. The world around her seemed to have been muted. And a silent world was… terrifying. Her gaze shifted to the beeping machine, its rhythmic pulses a stark contrast to the eerie quietness that she was hearing. It was functioning normally, she thought, its electronic voice a constant presence in the room where she was in. Yet, even its fam
Eight Florence’s face was a mask of confusion and bewilderment, whatever the nurse was telling her, she heard completely nothing. Not a single whisper, word, squeak, breath or gasp. Her eyes, filled with more tears streaming down her cheeks, darted back and forth, searching for a familiar sound that never came. Her lips parted slightly, as if she were trying to form a question, but no words escaped from her lips because she had a lot of things in her mind that her mouth could not keep up. Her brows furrowed, and her expression grew increasingly distressed. It was as if she were trapped in a silent world, unable to comprehend the information being conveyed to her through the nurse’s moving lips.A wave of panic, so similar to an overwhelming strong earthquake, began to engulf Florence. The realization that she might be trapped in a silent world sent a chill down her spine. A glimmer of hope flickered in the back of her mind, a desperate wish that this deafness was merely a temporary
NineThe doctor continued to write, his notes a lifeline in the silent world they shared in Florence’s hospital room. “You were in a coma for five days,” He informed her with the written words in the note while her heart was still thumping inside her chest, waiting to know about what happened to her. “We initially thought you might not wake up soon since your heart rate was low. We are very thankful that you survived and you fought.”Florence’s heart swelled with a mix of relief and gratitude as she read the words on the page. The revelation that she had been unconscious for five days after the accident sent a wave of astonishment and bewilderment through her body. Five days? It seemed impossible, a stretch of time that defied her perception of reality. Her mind raced faster now, trying to process the implications of this unexpected discovery. What had happened during those five days? Who had been by her side? The questions piled up, each one more pressing than the last. She longed to
Ten The revelation of her deafness was a devastating blow, a wound that refused to heal. Florence could not accept it, could not reconcile herself to the thought of living in a world of silence. Her heart ached with the pain of loss, the realization that a vital part of her had been taken away. But the pain was amplified a thousandfold by the news of her family’s tragic demise, especially finding out about it on Christmas Day was more heart wrenching.The loss of her mother, father, and brother was a crushing blow, a weight that threatened to overwhelm her. The realization that she was alone in the world along with her grandmother who was also terminally ill, bereft of her loved ones, was a source of immense sorrow. The pain of their loss, coupled with the devastating news of her deafness, created a perfect storm of grief and despair.Florence felt as if her world had been shattered, a fragile vessel that had been shattered into a million pieces. The loss of her family, combined with
ElevenIn 2023, the morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold and pink as Florence approached the small, modest chapel. The air was heavy with a palpable sense of grief, the quiet murmur of mourners a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy of the place. Florence took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, the sight that greeted her was a gut-wrenching blow. Three coffins where her mother, father and older brother laid, draped in somber black cloth, lay side by side, a stark reminder of the tragic loss she had suffered. Tears welled up in her eyes, a silent waterfall cascading down her cheeks. The sight of her family, cold and lifeless in their own coffins, was more than she could bear. Her heart ached with a pain so deep, it felt as if it were being torn apart.She approached the coffins, her steps hesitant and unsteady, so slowly as she was taking one step forward and two steps back. As she stood before them, she reached
TwelveThe trauma of losing her loved ones in a single day had irrevocably changed her perception of Christmas Day. The once joyful season had become a truly somber reminder of the tragedy that had befallen her. The sight of snow, a symbol of peace and tranquility, now filled Florence with nothing but absolute horrifying dread, a haunting reminder of the loss that she had endured.“Why had it been my family? Why had I been chosen to suffer such a devastating loss? Why was I the only one who survived? Why did I not die that night with them? Why did I have to live? Why did I have to keep living without them in it?” The questions echoed strongly in her mind, a constant source of torment. She would never wish such pain on anyone, yet she could not help but feel a sense of hopelessness and confusion. “Why had it been me? Why has my family been taken from me through such a cruel death?”The weight of grief was always heavy for her for years now, as if it was a burden that she will forever c