When Brianna caught the woman glancing in her direction, she quickly averted her eyes, pretending not to notice. But Brianna had seen it—the unmistakable flicker of pity. As soon as their eyes met, the woman looked away, busily arranging her napkin as if nothing had happened.
The exchange made Brianna feel unbearably small. She understood why people hesitate to step in during moments like these; no one wanted to impose or make things worse. But the passive stares and whispered conversations hurt more than words. The silence spoke volumes, and it was heartbreaking.