I said nothing in the meeting. I said nothing when the new hire microwaved fish at 11:40. I said nothing when my cousin announced her third engagement, to the same man, over appetizers. I had thoughts. All of them were filed. People take quiet for agreeable, which is generous of them. The quiet one at the table catches every word, clocks the second refill, and knows exactly who said 'circle back' four times in one call. Same family as the old saying, better manners, about the same effect on a room. A funny sarcastic shirt for anyone who keeps a straight face and a running tally. Nobody asked for the minutes. They exist anyway.

THE FINE PRINT

SILENT BUT across the top in tall condensed capitals. Below it a pair of cartoon eyes glance sideways over the rim of a plain mug, one eyebrow raised higher than the other, while a cartoon hand grips the handle. JUDGMENTAL runs across the bottom in outlined varsity block letters. One white ink, clean edges.