Chapter 28 #2
“It’s not too far from the Green Line, so it’s possible they came here after work.” Mercedes had come home first, where she’d made a quick meal for them. They’d taken the train into the city together. “Do you want to go over and talk to them?”
“Not right now. I’ll make sure to say hello later. The ASL instructor at the community college is here. I always enjoy chatting with her.”
They wended their way through the crowd and settled near the Deaf group. Mercedes started signing to Patty, the ASL teacher, so Evan sidled up to Adam. How’s it going?
Adam rolled his eyes and took a big swallow of his beer. He could use one of those. He caught the attention of Mercedes and signed, Want a drink?
“Yes, red wine, please.”
Evan went to the bar, managed to get the attention of a bartender, and ordered the drinks. When he finally made it back to Adam, the man had finished his drink and was grabbing the one Evan had brought back. Good thing he’d gotten two.
“Here you go,” he said as he handed Mercedes her wine. She reached out and touched his arm with a, “Thanks,” then returned to her conversation.
Find a place to live yet? he asked Adam when he got back to him.
No. While I’m not thrilled with sleeping on the couch, I like that there’s a meal every night and I have extra money for fun stuff. Like beer. He held up his drink and took a sip.
Your parents aren’t ready to toss you out yet?
My mom doesn’t like when I leave my clothes all over the place, but my dad enjoys having someone to watch sports with. Adam frowned at his now empty beer. Let me get the next round.
Thanks. When Adam toddled off to the bar, Evan peered around to see who else he knew. A small, dark-haired Asian woman focused on him and made a beeline in his direction. This was the woman who always chatted up Brian. What was her name? He never could remember.
Hi, Evan. Remember me. I’m Sue Chang. Is your brother here tonight? She searched the room but came up empty.
No, Brian had some work he had to finish up for our parents.
Her eyes strayed to the door, like she was hoping he’d walk in anyway. That’s too bad. I was hoping to talk to him. I’m wondering, does he have a girlfriend? Don’t tell him I asked.
Evan stifled a chuckle. Not that I know of. None he’s ever brought to the house. Are you interested in the position?
Her eyes fell to the floor, then lifted again as she shrugged. I love having discussions with him. He’s smart and really knowledgeable regarding tech.
I would hope so, considering that’s his job.
Mine, too. It’s not often you find people like us in an advanced tech position. It’s great to compare our jobs.
Evan thought he knew the answer to this, but he still had to ask. People like us?
She nodded. You know, Deaf.
Just as he suspected. Sue thought Brian was Deaf. Wouldn’t she be surprised. Should he say something to her? Would it curb her infatuation with him? Nah, it was too fun to let his brother deal with it.
You don’t want to go out with someone who’s hearing?
She played with some hair that had sprung from her ponytail.
My parents would love for me to bring home a hearing guy.
They hate my hearing loss and basically insist I speak and read lips.
No sign language for them. Me, I’m all about embracing Deaf Power, Deaf Pride.
Why would anyone want a hearing person? They don’t understand us.
My girlfriend, Mercedes, is hearing. My sister Carli’s husband is hearing. They do all right with understanding us.
Wait. She spun and searched the room. Her eyes landed on Mercedes and the ASL instructor. The woman over there with the curls and gorgeous amber skin. That’s your girlfriend?
He nodded.
She’s hearing? Her expression showed her confusion. She signs like a Deaf person.
She’s been friends with the family since she was little. She was Carli’s roommate for years.
Sue narrowed her eyes as she examined others in the crowd. Huh. I wonder if there are other people at Deaf Night Out who aren’t Deaf. That doesn’t seem right.
Was she really that much of a snob? I thought the whole point of Deaf Night Out was to find other people who spoke our language.
Yes, people like us. She pivoted and stalked away. He wanted to be there when she found out that Brian was hearing. It would be a hoot. He wouldn’t be the one to break the news, though.
Adam handed him two more bottles, then disappeared without a word. Another thing that annoyed him about his ex-roommate. His lack of manners.
Over the next hour, Evan chatted with some of his friends and met several new people who had joined the group.
Mercedes wandered back toward him every now and then but also sought out some of her work friends.
He shouldn’t care. They’d always flitted around from person to person during Deaf Night Out, yet now that Mercedes was his official girlfriend, he wanted to spend time with her.
Like he didn’t get any time with her at home.
He knew he was being ridiculous, so he didn’t follow her around when she socialized.
Didn’t keep him from seeking her out as she had conversations with others.
When she was with her work friends, she didn’t sign.
Not that he’d expect her to. Obviously, they wouldn’t understand what she was saying.
His jealousy hit him hard, though, that he couldn’t see what they were talking about, especially when they gazed in his direction, then laughed.
Mostly the yacht boy. Wardell, if he remembered correctly.
The man couldn’t seem to keep his hands to himself.
He was a touchy-feely person, always grasping Mercedes’ elbow or hand, patting her shoulder, or tugging on one of her curls.
He understood the saying “seeing red” perfectly now.
However, he trusted Mercedes and knew she wasn’t interested in Wardell.
Her body language was quite clear as she took a step back or shook her head at what must have been a come on.
That smile pasted on her face was as fake as a three-dollar bill.
Don’t you just want to throat punch him? Adam said from next to him.
They work together. She thinks he’s an ass. I’m not concerned.
Adam’s eyebrow rose. Really? You’re okay with them making fun of you. That guy’s been giving you the eye all night. Here, take this. You need it more than I do. He handed him his full beer, then staggered back to the bar.
Evan should cut himself off. He’d already had too many. Since they were taking the train back, he hadn’t counted what he’d been drinking. When he closed his eyes, the room tilted slightly. Maybe it was time to stop.
He wandered towards Mercedes and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She gazed up at him with a sparkle in her gaze. “I haven’t seen you much tonight. Are you having fun?”
I’d have more fun if I was with you. He took another sip of his drink, despite his resolve to slow down.
She set her wine glass down on an empty table. “Let me use the ladies’ room, and we can hang out more.”
He watched as she walked away, then shifted his position to see her work friends. They’d only given him a cursory glance as he approached, but now Wardell smirked in his direction and said something to one of the others.
He couldn’t read exactly what was said, but he saw, “… poor deaf guy …” and “… can’t read.” Seriously? How had this man known about that? Or was he merely misinterpreting his lips?
Then, Wardell adjusted his stance so Evan could see his mouth clearly. “She’s been teaching him how to read, the idiot. Like tutoring a kid.” He laughed and gave Evan another glare.
Evan didn’t even check to see how the others were reacting.
His gaze stayed on Wardell. “Maybe I’ll pretend I can’t read to get some hot chick to teach me.
” He moved his hands in a ridiculous attempt at sign language, obviously making fun of the form of communication.
Evan tipped his beer up and finished the entire bottle.
When something bumped him on the side, he jerked around to find Adam grinning. I say smack the guy around a bit. He’s a wimp. I bet he crumples in a ball and cries like a baby.
As much as he wanted to beat the man for making fun of him, the thing that bothered him more than anything was where he’d gotten the information from.
It couldn’t be anyone other than Mercedes.
No one else knew she’d been teaching him how to read.
He couldn’t believe it. How could she share that with others?
Especially the snotty people she worked with?
He stumbled to the bar and ordered another beer.
What did it matter how much he had to drink tonight?
He needed enough to dull the pain of betrayal.
At the end of his next beer, he was almost there.
He stood silently in the corner, staring at nothing.
Until he saw Mercedes weaving through the crowd.
She stopped to say something to her work friends, and Wendall laughed, then pointed his way.
Evan hightailed it toward her, meeting her near the side of the bar, away from others. Good. He didn’t need any witnesses.
When she saw him, her face showed relief. So she could continue to make fun of him? Not tonight.
“Where have you been? I was looking for you.”
Why? You weren’t finished humiliating me? He kept his voice off. It was bad enough she’d told her friends about their lessons; he didn’t need more embarrassment in front of his.
She took a half step back and froze. What are you talking about?
The alcohol took over, and he didn’t care that he loved her. Obviously, she didn’t feel the same way about him. You didn’t share the darkest secret of someone you love.
You think you’re so much better than everyone else. You’re not. You’re just like the rest of your snobby friends. Maybe you can read big books, but that doesn’t make you a good person.
Her expression of hurt and bewilderment made him pause, but a glance toward her friend Wardell, who stood smirking at him, sparked more anger. Evan, why are you saying these things? You’re my boyfriend.
Is that why you’re with me? To show everyone what an altruistic person you are? I’m not a charity case, if that’s what you were doing. Making yourself feel better by helping the poor deaf guy.
Her lower lip trembled, but he looked away. I don’t need you. Not helping me or looking down on me. I’ll do just fine on my own, like I have before.
Tears glimmered in her eyes. He couldn’t be swayed by tears. He hurt too much right now. As he spun toward the door, her face crumpled. Another glance at Wardell had him marching out into the cool night air.