You’re Not Mute?

Jamal sat by the window of the plane, resting his elbow on the armrest as he stared out at the runway but his mind was elsewhere.

A frown was etched between his brows as his encounter with the mute girl replayed in his head.

Had he been rude?

No, he told himself. He had simply established boundaries. There was nothing wrong with doing that.

She had come up to him out of nowhere, asking personal questions. Who did that? He didn't owe her anything— not his number, not his time, and certainly not his patience. But even as he justified his actions, a strange unease settled in his chest.

He usually didn't like being rude or curt with people that way, but she had sort of reminded him of Abigail and he hadn't wanted that.

A sudden movement in the aisle caught his eye.

He turned his head and was surprised to see the mute girl walking past him though she didn't see him.