The silence after someone says 'I'm fine'

It’s not the lie that bothers me—it’s the way the air changes. Like a door clicks shut behind a smile. I used to think it was just politeness, but now I wonder if it’s the last breath before something cracks. Last night, my neighbor said it to me while holding a mug of tea—her hands were shaking, but her voice was smooth as porcelain. I didn’t say anything. Just nodded. And then we both stood there, pretending the silence wasn’t full of everything unsaid.