Ryland #4
Somee’s brows pinched before she signed, “Eventually yes, but I told her we’ll be visiting with you for a while.
” Her eyes narrowed before her hands jerked quickly.
“And before you accuse me of being a horrible person, the only reason I’m not pressing the issue is because I feel it will be easier for Rylee to get there, experience your world, then we can have that discussion.
You fear what you don’t know or understand.
If she understands your world, she might not be so resistant. ”
I smirked because with Rylee it was always we, and by default, I included myself in that equation, making Rylee, Somee, and me an us.
“Makes sense. I also don’t think you’re a horrible person. You care about Rylee and I’m grateful she has you.”
I appreciated that she considered things from Rylee’s perspective and how to make this easier on her. Somee looked away and I noticed she was smiling before her hands started moving.
“You sure. That was a lot of sight words.”
Rylee came into view with a determined look on her face as she shoved a piece of paper at Somee. I watched the two of them interacting until Somee placed the paper on the counter and motioned to me.
“Come talk to your brother.”
The pout on Rylee’s face clenched my heart and when her small hands started moving the feeling intensified.
“You said I could have a snack and watch Bear With Me.” The pout on her little face crushed me.
“You can, but can you say hi to Ryland first? He wants to tell you how pretty your room will be at his house.” Somee maintained eye contact with Rylee the entire time she signed to her, as she always did.
It was a sign of respect, which I’d learned when taking ASL in college.
Always face the person and maintain eye contact.
Once Somee’s hands were no longer in motion, she cut her eyes toward me, delivering a plea that I would make good on the promise she just made to my sister, which I thankfully could.
I’d finished pulling everything together yesterday after practice once the last items I ordered arrived.
I offered a nod then Somee’s eyes were on Rylee again, paired with a smile when she signed, “Go see.”
Rylee’s shoulders slumped and she nodded, turning toward Somee so I had full access to her face.
I signed my greeting and lifted the countertop stand my tablet was on, hurrying up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the room that looked like an explosion of purple.
The white furniture made the space appear even brighter amongst the sea of lavender and grape hues.
I placed the stand on the dresser to offer a decent view of the space and stepped back enough to catch Rylee’s reaction when I spoke to her.
“What do you think?”
She grinned and moved closer to the screen before she stepped back and signed. “It’s pretty. You got me a big bed.”
“I did. Don’t want you to fall out. Somee said you’re a wild sleeper.”
Her smile expanded. “I am not.”
“Well, just in case, you have enough room to do cartwheels and you still won’t fall out. Do you want me to change anything?”
I watched her face while she leaned in closer to the screen once more then shook her head with a goofy smile in place while her hands moved.
“No, I like it. Thank you for making me a purple room.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned her back to me but I had a visual of Somee while she signed to Rylee that she could grab a snack and watch TV but to tell me goodbye first.
I got a quick wave before Rylee was off camera then I had Somee’s beautiful face again.
“I’m going to make dinner now. Was there anything else?” she signed casually, with a hopeful look that I would set her free. As much as I wanted to keep them both online, I had to employ patience. Three days and they would be here at my house with me.
“No, just wanted to check in.”
She nodded, pulling her lip between her teeth. My eyes followed the motion until I caught sight of her hands moving and I caught the end of what she signed.
“…have a good game.”
I grinned and my brow inched up as I signed, “You want me to have a good game?”
Her eyes rolled before she responded, “Yes. Good games mean you can afford to pay the bills. I have a vested interest in you paying the bills since Rylee will be in your care.”
I chuckled. “So it’s not about me and just about being able to afford taking care of Rylee?”
She shrugged but smiled smugly so I signed, “You’re full of shit, but just to ease your pretty mind, whether I have a good game Sunday or not, I can pay the bills. I’m smart with my money. Have been since I entered the league.”
I wouldn’t tell her the reason I was so fiscally smart was because I refused to ever be placed in a situation where I had to depend on anyone, my parents or Felicia.
After being shuffled around as a kid, and although my situation was a success story, I needed the ability to remain independent.
No one would ever be in control of my destiny ever again.
“What I’m hearing is Rylee and I will be flying first class to Crescent Falls for our first ever plane trip.”
“Our?” I signed quickly. “You’ve never been on a plane before?”
“Nope. This will be my first.”
I grinned before I responded, “I’ll see what I can do then.”
We ended the video call and the first thing I did was pull up the app to charter a private flight to Chicago. I would have to add their passenger information once I got there. For now, I just needed confirmation that they both were coming back with me on this trip.