Love Unspoken

"How did you come by that information?" a voice inquired. "The source of my knowledge is Linda," came the response.

"Isn't it a common belief that those who are less intelligent have impaired hearing as well? Is there any truth to that?""Really? But surely, if one is simply lacking in intellect, their auditory abilities should remain unaffected. I've always been under the impression that it's the inability to hear that leads to a lack of speech, correct?""Perhaps you should put it to the test."

Quinn had just completed the task of meticulously cleaning the final basket of dishes. She placed them carefully in the sanitizing cabinet, turning around only to be greeted by the sight of two female coworkers making their way towards her."Hey, are you even capable of hearing our conversation?""Are you, by any chance, deaf?"

The women studied Quinn with a curiosity that was devoid of any ill-intent. After all, they had never encountered someone like her before and were unaware that their words might be considered offensive. Quinn observed them in silence, offering no response. "It appears she truly can't hear," one of them mused."How unfortunate," the other added.

pity and sympathy to be most distasteful. They served as constant reminders of what others perceived to be her deficiency.Ignoring them, she made her way to the break room, intending to take a brief nap. She was utterly drained, too exhausted to even raise a hand.After a mere two hours of rest, it was time to resume her work at five in the afternoon, a shift that would continue until eleven at night.By the end of the day, her fingers were nearly raw, and her arms throbbed from the strain."Here's

fifty dollars safely tucked away, she exited the restaurant. The street outside was eerily silent and cloaked in darkness. She pulled out her phone to check the GPS. Her home was thirty miles away, an eighty-dollar cab ride. Her earnings for the day wouldn't even cover the fare.A bitter smile graced Quinn's lips as if the harsh reality of Alexander's words had

feeling overwhelmed. She lacked the funds for a taxi, and the

idea of divorce to slowly fade away.Suddenly, a

glanced around. "Are you out here dining?"Quinn shook her head and gestured, "I work here."Walter looked surprised. "You were

you need a ride home?"Quinn bit her lip and stared at him. Suddenly recalling Alexander's words, she hesitated. Walter offered a