When I was younger I used to sit at the family table.

Candles lit and a spread of food carefully made.

No distractions and all talk or silence.

I would see the walls between every person at the table.

A cruel power of inverse xray.

Only I knew that the walls existed.

Able to see but not tear down.

Impassable barriers.

Some were thicker than others.

Others barely existed at all.

The thicker walls seemed to cause a communication issue.

People on other sides never seemed to hear each other.

A frustrating and immutable rule.

Eventually I got tired of seeing the walls.

I took my food in my room out of sight.

Lonely but secure.

Free.