GA Writing Prompts - 3. # 43 Her Laugh Broke the Silence

Her Laugh Broke the Silence

Her laugh broke the silence. Time started ticking again. Gratefully, Uncle Timothy offered more wine. Gratefully, everybody accepted. The conversation was resumed. Everybody engaged cheerfully.

Cynthia winked at Jeremy. Jeremy lowered his eyes for a moment. Then he smiled at his cousin who had saved him with her laugh from any embarrassing explanations. Cynthia turned to her mother. Her mother nodded vividly at Cynthia’s remark. They were talking about the new shopping center. Everybody seemed eager to learn more about it.

Jeremy looked from one to the other. Apparently, everybody had chosen to quickly forget Jeremy’s revelations at his grandfather’s birthday dinner. Not that Jeremy had planned to reveal his secret at that particular event. Jeremy had not planned anything. His remark had been entirely casual.

His cousin Samantha had told them excitedly that she and her fiancé would marry in September. They had already fixed the date: 15th of September.

"That’s exactly the date we have fixed, too," Jeremy had said without giving his response a prior thought.

Everybody had turned their eyes to Jeremy. Their eyes had shown surprise and confusion.

"Date?" Jeremy’s mother had asked.

Jeremy had looked from one to the other. Everybody gazed at him. Their eyes showed curiosity. Jeremy’s face turned pale. He swallowed hard. He hesitated.

"A date for what?" his father asked.

"My wedding," Jeremy said under his breath. He felt the urge to lower his eyes, but he didn’t.

They exchanged brief looks. Their eyes showed confusion. Only Cynthia had smiled a small smile.

Finally, Jeremy’s grandmother had given him a warm look and smile.

"I had no clue at all, Jeremy," she said warmly. "Why didn’t you bring your fiancée with you? What’s her name?"

Jeremy looked from one to the other. Their eyes were fixed on him. It felt like a public execution. Jeremy swallowed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cynthia’s impish smile. Cynthia knew. Jeremy’s heart beat fast, but he sat motionless and just gazed at them.

"Won’t you answer your grandmother’s question?" Jeremy’s father had finally asked. His voice sounded angry.

Jeremy shifted slightly in his chair.

"Derek," he said finally. He gazed at them and they just gazed back.

Silence fell. The seconds passed. Jeremy heard a clock ticking. The sound was overly loud. Jeremy suddenly felt dizzy. The sound of the clock faded away. His vision blurred slightly. Jeremy realized that tears had come to his eyes.

Suddenly, he heard a merry laugh. Jeremy saw that everybody turned their eyes away from him. Jeremy also looked into the direction. Cynthia squeezed her little daughter who had sat down on her lap. Cynthia wiped ice-cream from the girl’s face and gave another laugh.

"Little brat," she said cheerfully. Everybody smiled at the girl.

The silence was broken and time started ticking again. Gratefully, Uncle Timothy offered more wine. Gratefully, everybody accepted. The conversation was resumed. Everybody engaged cheerfully. Cynthia winked at Jeremy. Jeremy lowered his eyes for a moment. Then he smiled at his cousin. He was safe for the time being.