Ellie seems most happy signing with Shay, conversing rapid fire, but sometimes she will acknowledge when someone else asks her a question and reply to them more slowly. They all seem desperate to get in conversation time with her.
After some sort of joke, Ellie erupts into a loud burst of laughter. Noticing that I’m clueless, she turns to me and explains, “They said I’m like this group’s new celebrity.”
“I see it.”
Shay signs something, gesturing toward me. Ellie waves away whatever her comment was, but then slows down so the two of us can fall a few paces behind the others.
“Need a break?” I ask. “Everyone’s so eager to sign with you.”
“Sorry, what?”
I immediately worry that I’ve crossed a line or something. But I realize she’s asking me to repeat what I said.
I point to the club. “Youarea celebrity. They really want to sign with you.”
“I know.” She lowers her voice. “It’s nice and all, but a little tiring. Shay appreciates that I can help, but I’m not the teacher here.”
“What was she signing about me?”
“That you haven’t come back to the club.” Ellie’s expression is unreadable. I can’t tell if she’s upset about that.
“Oh, um, well.”
“No, it’s totally fine,” she says quickly. “It’s a bunch of freshmen. And you usually have soccer stuff at the same time.”
“Yeah, next week we’re supposed to help scrimmage again with the girls’ team since they’re in season now. It’s not mandatory, but since I’m not playing club like everyone else is right now, I need all the practice I can get.”
“I understand.”
“I really do want to learn, though. I was just thinking I need to make time to look up more words.” I glance down at my shoes. “You don’t mind that I’m not trying it right now?”
Did disappointment flash across her face? It’s more like she’s not surprised. And that feels worse.
“That’s fine,” she says, also signing the word.
“Fine,” I copy, poking my thumb into my chest. “There’s one for today.”
Ellie smirks. “Word by word.”
“Yeah…”
“It’s whatever. We can talk today.”
Walking together, we don’t speak or sign for a little while. I just know I’m disappointing her. But with everything I’ve got going on, I couldn’t possibly have learned a whole language fast enough for us to communicate naturally already. I’ll be better about it, though.
As we’re approaching the park entrance, a member of the group waves back to Ellie again. She returns the motion but doesn’t rejoin them.
Meanwhile, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a text from my dad. I cringe, anticipating his feedback, but it’s just a picture of the beach.
JACKSON:
Nice, hope you’re having fun!
DAD:
It’s great.
Also, you should work on cutting down those thirty-four seconds.
