Reconciliation Theater #WeeklyShortShortNote

A small hall on the outskirts of town has a sign that reads 'Reconciliation Theater'.
The program is always the same: 'Making Up'.
People carrying arguments or misunderstandings come here to talk about their feelings in front of an audience.
It is the rule that the curtain falls with applause.
The ones who appeared on this day were an elderly couple.
Married for fifty years, they say they have been arguing over trivial things lately.
In the center of the stage, the wife said in a trembling voice,
'Because you only read the newspaper and don't listen to me...'
The husband was silent for a while, but eventually answered as if squeezing the words out.
'My hearing has gotten bad... I couldn't hear you, so I ended up avoiding it.'
The audience fell silent, and soon, small sobs began to mingle in.
Tears fell from the wife's eyes.
The husband clumsily took her hand.
'I'm sorry. From now on, I'll wear a hearing aid and listen properly.'
'I'll speak in a louder voice, too.' The shadows of the two overlapped in the stage lights.
When the curtain fell, the audience gave them a standing ovation.
At the exit of the Reconciliation Theater, the couple walked away, leaning on each other.
Even the misunderstandings of long years seemed to melt softly in the stage light.

(433 characters)

#WeeklyShortShortNote
#MisunderstandingAthletics
#ReconciliationTheater

I participated in Taharakani-san's project '#WeeklyShortShortNote'!