Words. Tone. Inflection. Body language. Microexpressions. They can all be important when trying to understand someone.
And they all have the potential to be deceptive
misleading
misunderstood.
Sometimes the most telling parts are the spaces in between the words, letters, shrugs, eye twitches, hair twirls, foot tapping, crossed arms, smirks, grins and frowns.
The silences.
The things people don’t
or won’t say.
The clinking of forks on plates could mean the food is amazing. A meeting where only the leader speaks could mean the people are inspired. The couple in the restaurant may be watching the game while they eat. The family sitting in the living room looking out the windows could be enjoying the cool, autumn breeze. The girl who always wants to be the center of attention and loves to talk about herself loves her life – and everybody loves her.
Or maybe not.
Maybe she is starting to get a migraine. He is worried about being fired if he disagrees with his boss. She is disappointed in her son. He is afraid of the conversation that might happen. She is holding her tongue because she has been told to. They spent all day talking and are enjoying a few minutes of quiet. She is insecure about her weight. He is thinking of his grandpa, who died a few months ago. She is still processing the fight she had with her boyfriend. Or that’s how they grew up – and that’s just what they know.
The spaces aren’t always obvious
or clear.
They don’t lie.
But those spaces may never be understood
or known.
Because as soon as they are spoken, they are no longer spaces.
And new ones emerge.