My dad’s excited and accepting, but my mom looks as if I told her I’ve dropped out of college. “Well congratulations, son.” He gives me another pat on the shoulder. My dad makes his way over to me and pulls me into a bear hug. Even though she and Jenna aren’t the best of friends, Jenna loved the ring Lisa picked out. She knows her stuff but wouldn’t force a decision on me. Lisa’s been my best friend since kindergarten, and she knows jewelry like nobody’s business. It’s one of the first big decisions I’ve made in my life without their input or influence. “I took Lisa with me to pick it out.” I smile. I would have taken him with me to buy it if I thought he’d be this happy. “Did you get a good deal on the ring?” he asks, trying to convey enough excitement for the both of them. My dad looks behind him and sighs before his smile returns. That I’ve chosen a woman to spend the rest of my life with, who is going to be the daughter she always wanted, and she walks out as if I just told her to grab me a sandwich. What type of congratulations is that? No smile, no tears of joy, not a single question? In the back of my mind, I knew there was a chance it could be like this, which is why I didn’t bring Jenna. She gets up from the dining room table and disappears into the kitchen. “I-I don't really know what to say, Chris.” She won’t even look at me as she lets out a long sigh. “What do you think Mom?” I ask, rubbing the back of my head.

His eyes are wide, the excitement in his voice apparent. Engaged?” My dad’s the first to break the silence in the room.

Her expression is unreadable, and that worries me. My dad finally cracks a smile, but my mom is still stoic. That same silence follows, and they stare at me blankly. Now I’ve made an announcement that will change our lives forever, for what I hope is the better. Time stopped, and everyone tried to think of what was the right thing to say next. It all started when I told them, “I don’t remember where I was last week.” The last time was when they told me, “Your mother is sick.” Words changed our lives, and not for the better. I get why my parents are so careful with their words. The wrong response could tilt the world-your world-off its axis. They know if they speak too quickly or the wrong words are spoken, everything will shift. Not just something, the right thing to say. It’s the sound that fills the room when you know the people you’re talking to are searching for something to say. There’s nothing I hate more in the world. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Without the express written permission of the authorĮxcept for the use of brief quotations in a book review. May not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

Before i break by portia moore