Normal Family Dinner

2013 age 18. It was for my english class and we had to present our work to the class. After I read it, I remember that no one was clapping. I had to lie and say that my family was just tired.

Slam! Dad is home…

Heavy footsteps go down to the basement

 

Mother’s stir fry dish sizzles on the stove,

The aroma fills the house.

 

“Dinner is ready”

Mother calls hoarsely from the kitchen.

 

Grumbling stomachs and tired faces

Make their way to the dining room.

 

Steam from the plates rise high to the ceiling,

Down casted eyes humbly accept the plates of food.

 

The silverware drawer rattles

The smooth slick forks are warm against my skin

 

The delicious savory meal doesn’t compare

To the amounting tension in the room.

 

There is no laughter.

There are no smiles.

 

Only silence and stir fry.