two old friends

They sat across from each other. Two old friends. Years apart. The conversation was careful. Each word chosen. Each topic avoided. They talked about the weather. The news. Nothing personal. Nothing real. They both knew why. They both knew what they were avoiding. But they didn't say it. They just kept talking. Kept pretending. The coffee shop was empty. The only sound the quiet hum of the espresso machine. The only movement the occasional stir of their cups. They talked for hours. But said nothing.