Three Little Words - An Excerpt

But despite her Earthly bounds, Ruby recognized the touch of an angel. A fair-haired being with a crooked, time-worn smile. Alden’s eyes seemed centuries old, lightened by blessed wisdom. And Alden, like Ruby, did not speak.

Alden did not need to bother. The stories woven in gold strands of shoulder length hair spoke everything that needed to be said. Ruby had no such powers. Speaking filled her with dread.

It felt all wrong and her throat closed up. She felt the coming of some terrible thing, but she couldn’t tell you what. Ruby Farid had not spoken in years. The idea brought her near tears.

And so she was silent. Around her, silence hung like heavy despair. Ruby was not sad, but her silence confused. It made those around her uncomfortable, and so they

avoided her.