Words stuck, swollen in my throat; my tongue traces the backs of my teeth, like it always does when the sounds can't get through. Fingers scraping at my arm, nervous habit. That's gross, I saw this commercial once about how scratching makes dead skin go all up under your fingernails and--that's not important, why am I thinking of that. Eyes on the ground, don't let it be seen that I don't understand. Nod and make that sound, "Mm," or even better, "I get that," or, "Yah." I hate the sensation of ignorance! But I'm stepping into a  much wider landscape where it's likely all I'll feel. I know very little.