“Or…” She smiles again. “Maybe you could have a licensed driver drop you off at my place on New Year’s? We’re throwing a party.”
I push aside the anxieties that have been plaguing me these last few months, because I’m finally feeling more at peace with myself. And if Ellie wants me there, I’m there.
“That sounds great.”
Chapter Forty-nine
Ellie
I spend allSaturday morning getting ready for this intervention, wondering the whole time whether this was a good idea. It’s so close to the holidays that people are all up in their feelings about family and togetherness and primed for huge, decades-long simmering resentments. What’s more festive than airing out some grievances?
My sister is home for winter break and has been surprisingly supportive about this intervention.
MADISON:
Let me know if you want me there, too. I still need to visit Cheese (and you) soon. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure Mom and Dad show up later. They seem nervous…
ELLIE:
They’re nervous? I’m nervous.
MADISON:
Summon some of that fire like when you moved out of the house without them knowing.
ELLIE:
Are they still mad?
MADISON:
I don’t know, but I think they wanna know why you did it.
And I’m ready to tell them.
I dress somewhat professionally, in a borrowed blazer from Shay, which I sort of regret when I look in the mirror and am unable to take myself seriously. But it’s too late to change since everyone will be here soon. The show is about to start, whether I’m ready or not. I can’t run away from this when I’m the reason they’re coming here in the first place.
When my parents come to the door, I greet them with a quick “hi” and a wave, but that’s the only word I’ll speak out loud to them tonight.
“Thanks for inviting us,” my dad says. He seems to be unsure whether he should hug me or not.
Mom gives a curt nod.
“You can sit here,” I sign, motioning toward our usually sparse living room that is now cluttered with as much makeshift seating as we could cobble together. A couple beaten-up folding chairs, some larger pillows on the ground, and some sturdy boxes. Izzy’s parents are already on the couch, and Mr. Diaz waves for my parents to join at the chairs next to them. They exchange gestures for introductions, since Alex’s interpreter friend is already waiting at the front of the room for us to start.
When Kayla’s parents show up a few minutes later, they walk in carrying camping chairs in bags over their shoulders, probably havingbeen briefed on the furniture situation beforehand. They seem chill, mostly intrigued to meet her friends’ parents. There’s probably nothing that could be said tonight that Kayla hasn’t already expressed to them. I wonder what that must be like.
“How is this supposed to go?” I ask across the room to Shay, who’s leaning against the kitchen counter.
“It can be casual,” she signs back, but keeps her distance. It was her idea, but it’s up to me and Kayla to facilitate for our parents.
Alex walks over to say hi to Izzy’s parents, and my mom and dad watch their conversation unfold despite clearly feeling out of place here. None of this is new to them since they ran into other Deaf families at Brandview before, but it was never so close to their own turf. That was always somethingelsewhereand not at home.
“Okay,” I sign, standing in front of everyone and waving for attention. The interpreter voices for me. “I guess we should get started.”
Kayla jumps up and stands at my side, taking a more cordial approach. “Thank you so much for coming. I know we all really appreciate it.” She motions for me to take over again, but I freeze, forgetting everything I prepared in my mind for this moment, so Kayla continues, addressing her own parents. “Mom and Dad, I know sometimes raising me hasn’t been simple for you. You had to figure it out as you went along, so I’m grateful and understanding that you have always had my best interests at heart.”
She continues on for a while, talking about how difficult it was to come back from Brandview and how moving into this house was a way to resurrect some of the community she’d been sorely missing. Her parents nod along and smile. They’re clearly a family that communicates well.
