The Writer K. - The Conversation

The Conversation, 2010

Opening:

Although she had been blind since birth, lived alone, and rarely ventured into the outside world, Silvia was ‘at least protected’ (as her controlling mother called it) within her apartment. However, while speaking amicably to her mother on the phone, Silvia knew instantly that it was foolish to curse in pain when she smashed her toe into the leg of the table.

Here it comes,she thought.

Excerpt:

“Why won’t it work? Call him,” Gayle asked instinctively.

Silvia turned pale, shocked that Gayle knew.

“Did you know that James plays the guitar?” Silvia asked. “He came over a few times in the beginning and then every other day. He held my fingers so I could strum. I could feel the vibrations in me. They climbed my spine as if it were a spiral staircase. And then he did something for me. Something. Nice.

“What was it like?”

“He said it was like a piece of spaghetti.”

“No. Not him, Sil. You. Your feelings.”

“It was like I was a guitar. He was strumming. But with his tongue,” Silvia said. “He stayed the night. But I haven’t called him since.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” Silvia paused. “Because I’m blind.”

“You are blind, Sil. But not in the way you think."