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“Ready for this?” I ask Spencer, turning to face her with an excited grin.
She replies with a short nod, her green eyes twinkling with eagerness.
As we step onto the bustling pier, I notice the way Spencer’s eyes dart around, taking in every detail. We pass families snapping selfies with the brilliant Pacific Ocean behind them while buskers perform their hearts out for the enamored crowds. The Ferris wheel looms overhead, its colorful lights already starting to shimmer against the setting sun.
“Hey, check this out,” I say, nudging Spencer and pointing to a caricature artist sketching away at his easel, then surprise her signing with my hands. “Wanna get one of us?”
She beams and raises her hands, forming a question using American Sign Language (ASL). “How did you learn to sign?”
“Ah, well, it’s a funny story,” I admit sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. “After that afternoon at your home, I realized how important communication is, especially with someone who had such a profound impact on my life. So, I started taking ASL classes. I wanted to surprise you.”
Spencer’s eyes widen in astonishment, and she signs back, “That means so much to me, Percival. Thank you.”
“Of course,” I reply, signing the words not as fast as I wish. “It’s the least I could do.”
We continue wandering down the pier, trying our luck at various games and sharing a funnel cake, the sugary sweetness making our fingers sticky. The sun dips lower in the sky, casting a warm orange hue over everything. As we stroll hand-in-hand, I think about how different this feels compared to my past experiences. With each step, it’s as if Spencer and I are creating our own language—one that transcends words and gestures.
“Hey, want to go on the Ferris wheel?” I ask, watching her eyes light up at the suggestion.
“Definitely,” she signs back, grinning from ear to ear. It makes me so freaking happy to be able to communicate with her in a more fluid way. No more notepads. She’s able to read my lips, but I want her to know I’m taking the extra lap for her.
As we ascend into the sky, our laughter mingles with the hum of the bustling pier below. From our elevated vantage point, we watch the sun sink below the horizon, leaving behind a tapestry of vibrant colors. In this moment, suspended between heaven and earth, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the connection Spencer and I share—a connection that defies convention and embraces the unexpected.
“Thank you for today,” I sign to Spencer, my heart swelling with emotion.
“Thank you,” she replies, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion. “For everything.”
As we descend back toward the ground, I know that this day will remain etched in my memory.
Feeling the gentle sway of the Ferris wheel, I steal glances at Spencer as she gazes out at the sparkling ocean. The sun casts a warm glow on her face, and suddenly, I’m struck with an unfamiliar sensation—something that goes beyond physical attraction.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Spencer signs to me, her eyes locked on the horizon.
“Absolutely,” I reply, trying to focus on the view, but my thoughts are elsewhere. I’ve had my fair share of flings and one-night stands, but this… this is different. The connection I feel with Spencer runs deeper than any I’ve ever experienced before. It’s confusing, disorienting even. This trip was meant to be my way of repaying her for saving my life—not an opportunity to fall in love.
“Are you okay, Percival?” Spencer asks, her fingers dancing in the air as she notices my far-off expression.
“Of course,” I sign back, forcing a smile. “Just taking it all in.”
But the truth is, I’m not okay. I’m struggling to make sense of these feelings that have taken root within me. How do I navigate these uncharted waters? Can I let myself truly open up to someone like Spencer, knowing how different this relationship could be from anything I’ve ever known?
“Let’s go down to the beach,” I suggest, eager to escape the confines of the Ferris wheel and the thoughts that seem to be spiraling out of control.
“Sounds perfect,” Spencer agrees, her enthusiasm infectious. As we walk hand-in-hand toward the water’s edge, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m standing on the precipice of something extraordinary. But am I ready to take the plunge?
The sand between my toes, the crashing waves, and Spencer’s laughter as the cold water splashes our legs all serve to anchor me in the present moment. I watch as she bends down to pick up a seashell, her green eyes filled with wonder.
“Look at this one,” she signs, holding the shell out for me to see. “Isn’t it amazing how something so small can be so beautiful?”
I nod, struck by the simple wisdom in her words. And yet, all I can think about is the beauty before me—the woman who has unexpectedly turned my world upside down.
“Spencer,” I begin, hesitating as I consider what I want to say. “I need you to know that… well, you’re different from anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Good different or bad different?” she asks, a playful smile on her lips.
“Definitely good different,” I assure her. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. And I’m not sure what to do with that.”
She looks at me for a moment, her expression a mix of surprise and understanding. “Maybe we don’t have to do anything with it right now,” she suggests. “Let’s just enjoy this day. I have no expectations. I’m not looking for Prince Charming. You said this is a repayment trip, remember?”
