His eyes reflecting the sun twinkle mirroring my own frustration and anxiety. His small yet very strong and weathered hands are balled in painful fists, as he shakes his head. Dripping with sweat and compassion in the muggy heat of the afternoon, it is almost as if he was screaming at me without speaking, but I know the anger is not directed toward me.

I shake my head in quiet understanding, and apologize with my eyes as best I can, because sometimes saying things out loud becomes redundant and meaningless.

And even more so when in reality you have very little control over these things.

He nods in understanding, and shakes his head again to shake off the look of frustration, and the sweat from the heat, and he moves on. Because that is all one can do in such a situation, when you have no control… move on.

I watch him walk away, and I can see the hesitation in his steps, because walking away is not often his style. He turns again, and looks at me, his eyes pleading, just one more look of understanding, and he is all set.

Sometimes just to know you aren’t going crazy is enough to get you through. And it is our silent understanding that often helps get through the day.

It is like telling secrets without speaking, talking solely with your eyes, and body language.

Secrets that only we understand, and no one else can see.