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I keep my hands still. There’s no way I’m admitting to that.
“Two individuals, whether they’re different races and religions or whether they grew up in the same town, with the same beliefs, still have to go through this. Everyone has their own life experiences, their own values, their own world views.”
“It would be easier for a deaf person and a hearing person who love each other to come together if they share the same values and worldviews than it would be for two people with different values and worldviews to come together, no matter how much love they have.” Mom pushes two fists toward each other. “So you have to decide if what he values is what you value too. And then decide if you value him enough to give it a proper try.”
Dad’s footsteps spare me from having to answer a question I’m not even sure I understand. He gets closer and the vibration of his steps gets a little more intense. I’m leaning my head toward him to accept his temple kiss before he even puckers his lips.
“Morning, baby girl,” dad signs after kissing me on the head and kissing mom on the lips. “What were you talking about? Moving back home permanently?” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Because I’m all for that plan.”
Hopping out of the chair, I sign, “Sorry, dad. I’m not switching my career to stay home and be your secretary.”
“Offer’s there whenever you change your mind.” He winks.
“Whydidyou come back home? I thought Deej would fly back alone after dropping you off at your agency?” Mom studies me carefully. “Don’t you need to be on stand-by? Especially right now?”
“The agency told me to lay low for the time being.” I try to sign the words with a smile, but the grin falters. My unwanted ‘break from activities’ is a punishment, but what can I do?
My watch vibrates.
I head to my bedroom, check my phone and see a new message from Henry.
Can we talk?
I delete it like I have all the messages he’s sent me since the truth was revealed. I should block him completely, but I can’t find the courage. We have too much history for me to take that final, cruel step.
Another text comes in.
Deej:I heard Talia’s leaving the country to stay with Dare. You’re not going with them, are you?
Yaya:What? Who did you hear that from?
Deej:Your boyfriend arranged for her to do community service at the foundation, but his assistant just texted and said she’ll be joining them overseas.
I’m distracted by the fact that she called Dare my boyfriend. It takes me a second to catch up with what she’s saying.
Talia’s going overseas?
Why? If Dare’s yanking Talia out of school, that means his ‘business trip’ is more than meets the eye. Did he lie to me?
I text Dare to ask what’s going on. Usually, he answers right away, as if he’s standing by his phone waiting to hear from me. This time, there’s no text back.
Accounting for the time difference, he might be sleeping.
Or maybe not.
Maybe he’s avoiding me so he can be spared a hard conversation.
I’m feeling a little panicked when I get ready for my day, and I check my phone often to see if Dare responded. The longer he goes without texting, the more uneasy I feel.
Dare once told me that he likes a challenge, but now that he’s won the battle—maybe it’s no longer interesting to him. Maybe the urge to ‘be with’ a deaf girl passed.
You’re being ridiculous.
But I can’t run from the fear.
Is this what dating a hearing person is like? All the insecurities I would have in a relationship are magnified because, not only is my boyfriend hearing, but he’s busy and rich andolder.He’s so many worlds apart from me and now the distance, the silence, it’s building into a mountain.
A frightening thought hits when I’m at the gym later that afternoon and Dare still hasn’t responded.
