Last weekend we were having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the City. It was good to be back.
At the table next to us were a man and woman. But there was something wrong. They didn’t speak to each other and made no eye contact. The woman couldn’t avoid looking in my direction and I caught a few weird glances from her. But the man only cast his stare into the distance. They ate in silence. Together alone.
I have no idea whether their discomfort was noticed by anyone other than us.
I almost felt like asking her whether she was okay. Yet there was nothing for us to do. And there was my sense of empathy - memory of times when I experienced Together Alone.
I wonder what was going on in their lives in those moments.

Witnessing them together alone gave me pause ..... and renewed appreciation for together.