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To help people just like me find their voice. Whether that be verbally or by the use of ASL.
Waverley’s mom steps into my office and the excited little girl was already skipping across the carpet to meet her embrace.
“You’ve been a God send. You know that right?” She says as she gives me a look that holds nothing but gratitude.
“I’m just a girl who’s excellent at talking with her hands. Nothing more.” I laugh, signing at the same time so Waverley can be in on the conversation.
“I mean it. Thank you, Tilly,” she says as moisture fills her eyes.
“None of that!” I wave a hand and push to my feet. “I have a no tears rule.”
She laughs and sets Waverley down long enough to hug my neck. “Don’t be a stranger. We would still love to see you.”
“Absolutely! My door is always open.” I glance down and tug on one of Waverley’s blonde curls.
Stay cool, Wave. I sign.
Stay cool, Ms. Harper. Her little fingers move quick and then they're off and out the door.
My phone pings with a message from Blaine. I was supposed to be meeting him in the city at three to see the venue like I agreed. A nagging part of me told me not to go, but I had gave him my word and I hated to fall back on it. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he really was trying to be genuine and surprise me with a beautiful venue. It had been a few days since dinner and I was convincing myself it was a fluke. Maybe he had an off night. We all have our moments, but deep down I knew what that nagging feeling was. I knew what my heart was trying to tell me, but all that ever got me into was trouble. All it ever got me was insecurities. I wasn’t going to just let go of every single feeling of self-doubt I had accumulated over the years. So, I cleared my head with an iced latte, then hit the road.
When we enter the gates to Mountain Escape, we’re met with soaring pine trees and gorgeous mountain views. Snow still blankets the ground, but in just a few weeks, when May rolls around it will be green, and spring will be in the air. Blaine parks us close to the front and we walk hand in hand to meet a tall slender woman in a white pant suit. Suzette leads us around, showing us every aspect of the “included package” and while all of it was beyond what I ever thought my wedding would be like, I just….I wasn’t ready to move this fast.
It’s not the place.
Or the time frame.
You know what it is, Tilly.
I shut off my inner thoughts and manage to smile and keep my mouth closed until we make it back to the condo.
“Blaine…it’s a wonderful place, but I just.” I suck in a breath as we enter his kitchen. “I don’t see why we have to rush.”
“What do you mean?” He clanks a glass on the counter before he reaches for a bottle of whiskey. “You accepted my proposal.”
“I did.” I grip the back of his dinning chair that probably cost more than my cabin. “But I thought this was something we would decide together. Not you and your mother going behind my back.”
“I would think you would be a little more grateful. Do you know how much that deposit was?” He scoffs.
“Grateful?” I roll my lips. “I don’t want to get married in May. It’s too soon.”
“Tilly. I’m the one paying for this. You accepted the ring, so your duty as a wife starts now.” He jabs a finger into the quartz countertop. “I’m funding it, so I call the shots.”
Duty?
I release the chair. “This is supposed to be a decision we make together. And while we’re on the topic, I didn’t appreciate the spectacle at dinner, announcing it to everyone while I was out of the loop.”
He knocks back a drink. “I think you’re being dramatic.”
What the hell has gotten into him?
“Dramatic? Well, here’s dramatic for you. I will sign when I feel like it. You knew when you met me that it was a part of my life. A part of who I am.”
“My world is different and I’m just preparing you for it. It’s ruthless and I won’t have a partner who’s seen as weak.”
That fucking does it.
“Weak?” I let out a tortured laugh. “Fuck you.” I turn, walking to the door.
