After a fight, starting a conversation in the hospital waiting room

Even sitting side by side in the hospital waiting room, after a fight you may not know what to say first, so you just stare at your appointment slip.

Scenes

I don't know what to say first — I sat beside my spouse in the hospital waiting room. After our fight, I tried to speak, then just reread the appointment slip.
We only exchange words pretending we're okay — My spouse checks the appointment order, and I just nod. What we argued about is still there between us.
I explained myself before I listened — During a fight at home, I explained my side before my spouse had finished speaking. Then my spouse fell silent.
Listening closely changes what comes next — Behavioral activation coaching suggests that small actions can support the next step, without waiting to feel better. Listening first is also a small action that can help reconnect a conversation.
Listen first today — If the argument comes up tonight, try listening to the other person all the way through once before answering. Just notice what they say.
There may be more behind what you hear first — Even when you listen first, there may be things that are hard to answer right away. What part of those words stayed with you the longest?