"Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute."
-Josh Billings
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask through the shower curtain.
The water system connected to the house was in good condition, which I had no knowledge of. So, that meant plenty of hot water for showers.
It felt nice to let the warm water run down my body, unlatching the dirt from my skin and soothing my aching muscles. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were left behind by the person who inhabited this house before us, which was a huge plus. Showering hasn't been a concern of mine for at least a year, and I will probably never be able to wash away all the sweat and grime.
"Tell you what?" Hattie asks, playing dumb.
After our brief show of affection, she lead me to the bathroom. Being alone is the last thing I wanted, so I asked her, politely, to stay. She accepted.
"That Carter was Jolene's Dad," it sounds weird coming from my mouth, as if the words aren't meant to be in that order.
The swaying of my emotions the past couple of days have been catastrophic, and I've never been able to fully understand what I'm feeling. And as I stand under the pelting stream of water, I'm feeling everything at once.
The floor creaks lightly as Hattie shuffles her feet.
"I didn't think it was important."
A scoff shoots from my throat. Not important? Really?
"Why wouldn't that be important?" I squeeze a glob of pink shampoo into my palm.
Pause.
"No one else knows but me," her voice is small. "Well, and you."
"Why?"
I have so many questions, but that is the only word that comes out.
Hattie inhales deeply, obviously annoyed by my excessive questioning.
"It's a long story," she huffs.
"I have time."
Hattie sighs deeply. She doesn't want to tell me, and I'm clueless as to why. I already know, I might as well find out the whole story.
"He was her boss," she mumbles as I run my soapy hands through my ratty hair. "She was young, naive.... and he took advantage of her. He told her he loved her, and she believed him. He got her pregnant and left her alone."
Silence follows. Long, soul-petrifying silence. The only sound in the room is the water beating down from the shower head. Hattie doesn't even seem to be breathing.
"How did you find this out?" I ask quietly.
More silence.
"I guess I just listen closely," she shrugs.
The hot water stings my hair follicles as it streams down my neck.
"That's a lie," I think out loud. "I can tell."
"No it isn't."
"That's a lie, too."
Hattie sighs again. And I wonder how her throat has not gone hoarse from all her suspirations.
