We drove in silence, the sound of the rain drowned out by the animosity in the air. What is it about words that cause them to linger around long after they have served the purpose they were originally intended for? Instead of drifting away from us, they stay around, reminding us of emotions, even though the letters themselves are long forgotten.

But the tone of voice, the angry eyes, the inflection slanted to cause maximum harm. The lingering words keep those around, balanced in the air like heavy mist, untouchable; ever-present.

Engulfed in the presence of those lingering words, we drove on.