Love Is Deaf, Not Blind

I take the phone from Jocelyn when what I really want to do is take her in my arms. I feel so bad for her, I couldn’t imagine what she’d be going for…would it come close to having a jaw wired closed?

I take a few steps away and dial Mom from her contacts.

“Hello, who is calling from my daughter’s phone?” I wonder briefly how she’d know it wasn’t Jocelyn before realizing that Jocelyn would video call or text.

“Hello Mrs Parker-

“It’s Miss Johnson. I divorced Mr Parker.” She snaps.

“Miss Johnson. I’m your daughter’s interpreter Andrew. Umm…Your daughter is at the hospital-“

“She crashed the stupid car didn’t see!” She yells.

“No. No she broke her finger at home earlier today and she needs surgery to set it.”

Her voice is worried suddenly, “Surgery?”

“She needs some pins to hold it in place while it heals. Jocelyn would like you to come down to the hospital.”

“Of…Of course,” She stutters.

“I’m sorry, but she is alright. She’s just a little scared.”

“Thank you for letting me know I’m on my way now.”

I wish the conversation had of gone better but at least someone was on their way over.

I glance over to where Jocelyn is sitting on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees with the hand with the broken finger held out awkwardly, wearing her headphones. I can hear the music faintly.

I walk over and sit down next to her. I wish I could do something to make her laugh again…or even just smile. God I loved that smile. Stop it! I mentally yell at myself. She is underage!

But I can’t stop myself when I wrap an arm around her slender shoulders, I brush one of her silky ringlets back behind her ear. She looks up tears in her eyes.

’It’ll be alright Jocelyn.’

“I…did…not…think…I…hurt…it…bad…what…if…I…end…up…not…being…able…to…sign….right.”

‘You won’t.’

“But…what…if…I…can…not.”

’We would all learn how you sign slightly different. It’s just you little finger it won’t make much difference to the signs. My dad suffered a stroke two years ago and now he doesn’t speak the same but I still understand him.’ She doesn’t say anything just leans her head against my chest and closes her eyes.

***

“Are you coming back into the room anytime soon?” I look up suddenly as the doctor speaks.

“No we are waiting for her mum.” I reply. Jocelyn looks up at me suddenly I realize she must have felt me talking.

“Alright than. Just tell the nurse at the counter when you’re ready and she’ll show you to her room,” He tells us before leaving.

“Am…I…being…admitted.” Jocelyn ask just a whisper.

’I think so.’ I see fear fill her eyes. Most likely just over night. I’ll stay with you if you want me too?’ She nods and places her head back down. Her breathing becomes very steady and I begin to wonder if she’d fallen asleep.

Her cheeks are wet from tears that had escaped her closed eyes and a few loose strands of hair stuck to them. She looked so much younger, yet more beautiful.

Stop thinking of her like that! I order myself.

I look up as a shadow falls across us. Just by looking at her I can tell it is Jocelyn’s mother. She has the same soft features, brown eyes and black ringlets as the perfect girl in my arms did.

I slowly lift Jocelyn up, I now know she was actually asleep. “You must be Andrew?”

I nod, “Yes.”

“Thank you but we can take it from her.” I now notice a young man behind her. He shares the same hair colour and delicate skin as the two girls…Her brother.

“I’d much rather stay if you don’t mind.”

“Well we do,” Jocelyn’s brother…I search my memory for his name Jason snaps.

“I…want…him…to…stay.” Jocelyn looks at her brother with defiance written all over her face.

“As long as she wants me here I’m staying.” Neither Jason nor his mom look happy about that but they don’t argue.

“How are you? Have you been seen by a doctor?” Miss Johnson asks her daughter. I realize now that her mother doesn’t sign.

“Yes...and…yes.” Her mum looks slightly shocked. I’m guessing that Jocelyn doesn’t talk out loud much at home.

I notice Jace signing discreetly ‘What do you mean by lied?’ By Jocelyn ignores him. ’You didn’t tell anyone?’

They continue talking to her both out loud and sign but she refuses to answer them. I decide this is where I intervene. I walk over to the nurse counter.

“Hi I was wondering if you be able to get someone to escort Jocelyn Parker to her room with only me? I’m her interpreter.”

“I think we could do that.” The nurse looks over to where Jocelyn is being interrogated by her family.

“Thank you. Please if you could make sure they aren’t allowed in the room that would really help.”

She just nods.

I walk back towards Jocelyn who has her eyes closed and fresh tears on her face I know I made the right choice.

Soon enough a nurse walks over and explains that they need to talk Jocelyn to her room and if they could please wait in the waiting room she’d let them know as soon as they could see her.

“I’m her interpreter I have to go with her.” I explain.

“I can interpreted for her just fine,” Jason argues.

“Please follow me Jocelyn and.” She nods towards me.

“I’ll interpret for her.” Jason says again. “HE can leave.”

“I’m sorry but you have to wait here.”