A/N- this is a short story I wrote for American Lit. instead of taking a final. It's the scene Nick sees through the window at Daisy and Tom's house, after they all get back form New York.
Quiet
It was quiet as Tom pulled the chair out and motioned for his wife to sit in it. It was Quiet as the fried chicken was brought out by a servant. It was quiet as the chicken turned cold. It was quite as Daisy put her hand on the table. It was quiet as Tom raised his hand and rested it on hers.
This touch, which was a simple display of affection and common to most marriages, was so foreign to their relationship that it caused Daisy to lose her composer and her eyes to fill with Tears.
"Tom." She cried "Tom."
"Calm down, Daisy." Tom said solemnly, " I know what happened."
Daisy reached up and wiped her eyes, fear overtaking her "You…do?"
"That son of a bitch was upset because I told him…" The fury in his voice seemed to have taken over him and he paused for a moment and regained his solemn tone "I told him you never loved him, and you confirmed this on the ride home, and assured him it was over."
Daisy looked down, but she slowly nodded her head.
"He was driving," Tom continued "And he was yelling I'm sure. And he saw her running into the street. He couldn't hurt you, we knew you were with him. Then he saw Myrtle run out into the street…and he vented his anger at her." Tom's voice remained calm, but it became hollow as he recounted his assumptions.
Quietly, Daisy looked up at him, and nodded.
"We can call the police; we'll tell them all about how he murdered her." Tom said firmly.
Franticly, Daisy shook her head "I don't want to talk to the police." She whispered to her husband. "I can't talk to the police."
"No," Tom nodded, considering it "I suppose it wouldn't be possible to have a woman like you get involved in this mess."
He returned to silence and seemed in deep thought for several minutes
"We'll leave."
"Leave?" Daisy asked softly, "Go away from East Egg?" Their seemed a thrill of adventure in her voice, equally mixing with surprise. She remembered very clearly Tom saying they were staying in East Egg for good. But behind the excitement and surprise, something else lingered, a drip of sadness for the place, and the man, she'd leave behind.
"Yes," Tom said firmly, "Leave East Egg, go far away from here."
"Were will we go?" Daisy asked in a wondering tone.
"West." Tom said.
Quiet again settled on the room as they began to eat, and the dream of eastern glory slipped away.
