Love Is Deaf, Not Blind

I slam the garage door as I storm into the house. I pass mom with her puzzled look and I storm up the stairs feeling them vibrate with each stomp of my feet. I slam my bedroom door so hard that it bounces back I swing my arm around to slam it back into place and miss judge. My little finger catches the door and pain shoots through my hand. I cry out loud and cradle my hand to my chest.

Just by looking at my hand I can tell my pinkie is broken.

I kick the door hoping to close it, but Jace pushes his way through.

’What’s wrong?’

‘Fuck off!’I pick up the nearest object and am disappointed that it’s a pillow but I throw it at him anyway. “Get…out!”

Anger flashes across his face before he turns and leaves. He’s anger! What about me? I’m the one he lied too. I couldn't believe when he’d called me to say he was helping Sammi with a problem with her dad and they'd be at her place until well after school and he needed me to tell mom that we were at the library. I could see Dad’s farm house in the background.

When he’d finally come to pick me up. I’d asked how Sammi was and he just lied to me. He said they’d spent all day talking her father into letting her stay at this school.

I thought we told each other everything? Guess I was mistaken. I wipe the tears from my eyes they are a mixes of betrayal and the pain from my hand.

I pick up my phone and look for my best friend’s number. I need to get out of the house and I missed him. I needed someone who understood me like he did.

I start a video call, but when Ryan doesn’t answer I send him a text. Call me when you can.
I sit on my bed fighting back tears, I wasn’t sure why I was crying exactly. My finger was killing, I felt so alone and I was starting to worry that I wouldn’t be able to properly on my dominant hand.
I finally decide to call Andrew. He'd asked me to text him when I knew what was happening with my brother, Sammi and Jordan.

He answers almost instantly, he holds the phone back so I can see his face and he brings one hand up to sign but it flashes in and out for the screen so I just read his lips. “What’s wrong it looks like you've been crying? Did something happen to Jason?”

Jace is fine. He lied about where he was. He went to our dad’s place. I don’t know why he’d lie.
“So he hasn’t done anything like this before?”

He hasn’t. What are you doing right now? Did you want to meet up I can help with your course work?

“Nothing. I’d like that. Do you know of the coffee shop Three Beans?”

Three Beans was in Austin, but I don’t care ‘Yeah I can be there in 30 mins?

“Sounds good.” He looks away distracted by something. “I’ll see you then. I’ve got to go.” He hangs up before I can say bye.

I grab my school bag my purse still inside and shove my phone into the side pocket. I think for a moment about how I was going to get there. I’d normal ask Jace for a ride but I wasn’t in the mood to see him. I didn’t even want to risk seeing him on my way out of the house. I look forwards my window, I’d climb the tree a few times before. It was close to the house with an easy route down.

Swinging the bag over my shoulder I make my way out the window, and make my way down the tree awkwardly with my hand still cradled to my chest.

I jump the last 3 feet landing lightly on the balls of my feet. I walk around to the garage and enter through the back door. Jace’ car keys are hanging in there normal spot and I grab them. I had driven his car a few time, I had my licence just no one wanted me driving.

I get into the car, I make sure the radio is off before I open the garage and drive out. I look back to the house to see the curtain of Jace room flick back into place.

I was late driving to three beans because I drove under the speed limit earning a few fingers by other drivers.

When I pull into the parking lot I see Andrew leaning against the wall. I smile he has the exact same pose as when I first met him. I wave smiling towards him as I make my way across the lot.

“What happen to your hand?” Realised I was still cradle it protectively against my chest.

‘Broke my finger I’m pretty sure.’

’You broke your finger?’

’I think so.’

’You should properly get it checked out?’ He takes my hand light as a feather and studies my fingers. ’I think you did break it. I can drive you to the hospital?’

[i[‘I’m fine.’ I brush him off.

‘I wasn’t giving you the choose.’