Love Is Deaf, Not Blind

I didn’t hesitate getting out of the car today, I knew what to expect. I spotted Sammi and the boys standing by the same red beauty as yesterday. I’d love to drive it but not even my brother would let me behind the wheel to drive.

Sammi waved enthusiastically, bouncing on her toes like a very happy puppy. It made me smile me to see, and I waved back.

‘How are you this morning?’ Sammi signs when I’m close.

I feel my eyebrows raise in shock but I answer without hesitation. ‘I’m good thanks for asking.’

‘That’s good to hear’ She pauses her perfect face crumbles for a moment ‘See?’

‘Either works’ I smile. It’s the same for me.

“Works” She tries to do the sign, I reposition her hands, both her hands flat and her arms crossed above each other. I show her that she needs to tap the side of the top hand on the wrist of the other. ’Thank you.’

I feel amazing by the time the bell goes, someone has made the effort to actually talk to me. When the warning bell rings Sammi looks straight towards me and signs ‘Alarm’. By placing on hand straight and tapping her pointer finger sideways against it a few times.

I walked towards the school with Sammi randomly going through the signs she’d looked up online. I look back towards Jace, he doesn’t look towards me he’s too busy talking to Jordan but Caleb offers a wave and a smile which I return.

A hand waved in front of my face and I turn back to her and sign ‘Sorry.’

Sammi very slowly starts to sign and acts out other words. ‘How did you learn to speak out loud without hearing the words first’ Sammi doesn’t frown to indicate the question.

‘How did you learn to speak?’

Sammi frowns at me. “Jace could you help talk for me?” I turn towards my brother as he walks faster to catch up.

‘What is it’ He signs and speaks.

“I wanted to know how Josie learnt to talk out loud when she asked me how I learnt. But I need you to translate for us please.”

‘Okay.’

“I learnt by repeating what my parents said.” Jace signs it but I’d already read it on Sammi’ lips.

I point my pointer fingers on both hands forward with my palms down. With my hands spaced a short distance apart and bring my pointer fingers together twice. ‘Me too’

“She says that’s what she did too.”

‘Hold your hand in front of your mouth, say Popcorn then say Soda’

Jace repeats what I sign and I watch Sammi do as I asked.

‘Feel the difference? Put your hand on Jason’s throat. Jason talk.’

They both do as I sign, I can see my Sammi’ face that she can feel the difference between the words.

‘I see.’ She signs.

‘I also learn by watching people’s mouths move.’

‘Thank you. See you at lunch,’ Sammi signs before hurry up the school steps, she turns and waves before disappearing into the school building.

‘Sammi likes you. I told you school wanted be so bad.’ Jace signs to me after Sammi left.

‘I like her too. She’s bubbly and she’s learning to sign for me. So what’s not to like.’

’I’m glad you’ve made –that’s the tardy bell’ I can see the silent groan on his face. ’I got to go.’

I watch him race off but I continue at the same steady pace. I didn’t really want to go to trig. Not only was it one of the most useless subjects but I hated my teacher Mr Wane. He’s handwriting was illegible, he talked to the class with his back to them and when I’d asked him a question he yelled spitting in my face telling me he’d just answered it.

When I reached the classroom door I noticed a guy leaning against the wall next to it. He’s a few years older than me too old to be in high school. He has curly brown hair and equally brown eyes.

’The school assigned me to translate for you in class.’ He signs sloppily.

’Thank but no.’ I walk into class before he can reply but he follows me anyway.

“Sorry…I…late…did…not…hear…bell.” I say knowing that I can’t get in trouble for it.

“Take you seat quickly Miss Parker.” Mr Wane looks very annoyed. I smile smugly when I turn my back to him.

’I am Andrew.’ The guy signs taking a seat next to me. I ignore him and start to copy the trig problems off the board. He tries to get my attention but I continue to ignore him. This has just made school worse for me.