Excuses

I remember a moment a long time ago. A moment that is likely forgotten by everyone present but me. I remember the contempt on one, the guilty silence on other, the passive, almost indifferent stare on another. I remember words lashing out like whips, furious and uncaring. I do remember the ugly truth that emerged from the silence - one that shall it had been summoned by me, it would have wrecked it all with a bang. I kept it for myself though, and watched silently as the inevitable excuse was brought up. "I don't want you to think it is like that", it was said, a futile attempt to save a face that, although righteous, could no longer be saved. That is the nature of such excuses: instead of making something right they do a greater wrong, instead of bringing relief they only bring up the unnamable. I see someone doing it all over again, lashing out fiercely and not without reason; but when facing the wall of silence, along comes the old excuse, self righteous and false like all excuses are.