A Short Conversation

The question was simple, but the implications of the answer, whatever it may be, were incredible.

“Do you fear what's coming next?”

I held the thought over in my head and turned it round and round like candy in my mouth, feeling it every way.

“No”

An expression of anger quickly passed through her face, believing what I said was a lie. I noticed it and waited for an accusation, but it faded just as quickly as it came.

“Do you...”

She cocked her head slightly as she considered her words.

The inevitable question was coming, as she tried to uncover the lie by locking me in how I responded.

“How could you not fear the future, after all you've said, you seem terrified by it.”

It was true in a sense. Only the finest line divided how I felt and absolute terror. It was, in fact, the biggest risk I had taken in years, but I hadn't lied, I wasn't scared.

“Hmm...”

Hand on my chin as I considered how I would respond. A question like that required a careful answer; deserved a careful answer. Like two countries at truce, both trying to speak truthfully and clearly, but not giving ammunition to the other side either.

“I told you everything that could go wrong. It's a risk, but I calculated it. I had to consider all those things, but in the end, I still decided like I did.

“And that doesn't bother you?”

Her response was swift this time. The question was sitting on the tip of her tongue. Like the third brigade in a division, waiting in reserve for the perfect moment to strike.

I'd grown tired of these jabs by now and realized a partial admission was in order. It would be a victory for both of us in a way. I could accept that.

“You can't let it bother you. I guess it did at first, but there's no use recalculating it over and over again in your head. It's not like anything's changed.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but before a sound came back I finished my statement.

“So no, I don't fear it”

Her mouth shut without a sound. The line of thought was complete and she knew better than to press the issue.

I wrote this a while ago, and I remember it being a blast to write. It's only my second try at written dialogue. This is about a decision I made to probably change careers and how someone may take this so-called bad life decision. "She" is actually my sister, who is a very practical person and believes strongly in a "proper" way to live. I think if we had a long conversation about this topic, she'd respond something like this. As you can see, I tried to delve into the unsaid aspects of a conversation, and the battle conversation can be.