Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ellie
The people at the table next to us kept staring. They tried to be discreet, but they weren’t. I was used to it because people always stared at me when I signed. We as humans are curious creatures, and when something out of a hearing person’s normal realm catches their attention, they’re fascinated. At least that’s what they told me in school. Henry was such a gentleman. I knew he noticed them staring, but it didn’t seem to bother him, which I found odd. Usually, it bothered the guys I went out with.
“Those people keep staring,” I signed. “Does it bother you?”
“I know they are,” he signed back with a smile. “No. It doesn’t bother me at all. Does it bother you? Because if it does, I’ll say something to them.”
The corners of my mouth curved upward. “No. I’m not bothered. Why haven’t you asked me the most important question yet?” I picked up my fork and took a bite of my food.
“Which question is that?”
Setting down my fork, I signed, “If I was born deaf.”
“I haven’t gotten around to that question yet.” He winked.
“I wasn’t. I started to lose my hearing in one ear when I was three. By the time I was five, I was completely deaf in both ears.”
“What caused it?”
“Genetics. My father’s great-grandmother went deaf around the same age, but we didn’t know that until after it happened to me. The doctors really had no medical explanation. I have a question for you that I’ve been dying to ask.”
“Let me guess.” He smiled. “How do I know how to sign so well?”
I nodded my head.
He picked up his mojito and took a sip before telling me his story.
“My twin sister, Abigail, was born deaf. She passed away when she was nine from congenital heart disease. Another thing she was born with.”
“I’m sorry,” I signed.
“Thank you. My parents found out she was completely deaf when we turned one year old. When the doctors told them Abigail was deaf, they suggested we learn sign language with her so there wouldn’t be any communication problems. So, my parents hired a private ASL instructor, moved her into our home, and she worked with us for years.”
“Do you have any other siblings?”
“I have a sister, Addison, who is twenty-one. After Abigail died, my mother desperately wanted another child. She thought it would help with the loss and ease the pain of losing Abigail. But instead, they see Addison as a reminder of why she was born. Don’t get me wrong. They love her, but they treat her differently. I do what I can to protect her.”
“You’re a wonderful big brother.” I smiled.
“I try to be,” he signed as the corners of his mouth curved upward. “She’s coming home from college in a few days for the summer. I haven’t seen her in a while, so having her back home will be nice. How about you? Do you have any siblings?”
I shook my head.
“After my mom gave birth to me, there were complications, and the doctor needed to do a hysterectomy, or else she would have died.”
“I’m sorry,” he signed.
“Thank you. But she was always okay with it. She tells me every day that one miracle in her life was enough.” I smiled.
After eating, the waiter walked over and asked if we wanted dessert.
“Do you like Mexican fried ice cream?” Henry asked me.
“I love it.” I signed with a grin.
“Chocolate, caramel or honey?”
“Definitely chocolate.”
“My favorite as well.”
“One Mexican fried ice cream with chocolate topping coming right up,” the waiter spoke.
When the waiter walked over and set the large dish of ice cream in the middle of the table, Henry picked up a spoon and handed it to me.
“Dig in.” He grinned.
While we were sharing the ice cream, I thought about how this had been the best day I’d had in a long time. He was such a kind man, and I found myself enjoying his company. When we finished our ice cream, he looked at his watch.
“We really need to get going. I have to get back to the office.”
“I have some work to do myself,” I signed.
He paid the bill, and when we exited out of the booth, my body began to tremble as I felt his hand on the small of my back as we headed out the door. After climbing into the back of the limo, he shut the door and turned to me.
“I had a really nice time with you,” he signed.
“I had a really nice time with you too.” I smiled.
He turned his head and stared out the passenger window. Suddenly, he seemed off. So, I placed my hand on his arm to get his attention.
“Is something wrong?” I signed.
His lips formed a small smile as his eyes stared into mine, and he softly brought the back of his hand up to my cheek while I read his lips.
“No. Nothing is wrong.” He removed his hand from my cheek and started signing. “I really want to see you again.”
“I want to see you too.”
The limo pulled up to his office building, and before Henry climbed out, he took hold of my hand and held it for a moment.
“I’ll be in touch,” he signed as the corners of his mouth curved upward.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I smiled.