Saved from Silence

Pity Sucks

I honestly had no idea how this day could possibly get worse. Let's see what my days been like, shall we...

Well for starters, my house burnt down- great! And then, both my mom and I almost died of smoke inhalation and severe burns- fantastic!

Oh, yea my mom passes out and when she wakes up she learns that she won't be able to use her right hand for a few months- or maybe ever.

Now I was sitting in the hospital cafeteria eating a slice of old frozen pizza.

The worse part was, this was seriously the highlight of my day.

I swallowed the last bit of rock hard crust, trying not to grimace as it scratched my sensitive throat.

I pulled at the uncomfortable collar of the starchy white shirt the nurse had given me,pity in her eyes.

I seriously hated pity. It sucked. When you feel sorry for me, it only makes it worse, more vivid and fresh in my mind.

So thanks, thanks a lot.

I guess I hated a lot of things today. Whatever.

I stood up from the table and went back upstairs.

When I reached her room, my mom was standing up, wobbling slightly- a nurse by her side.

I crossed the room, taking one of her arms and nodding my thanks to the nurses before leading her out.

I stood by my moms side, as she stood at the desk, checking us both out.

I watched her and the receptionist's lips moving and I realized that I'd have to learn how read lips.

I stared, trying to connect words with the formations the puffy, pink shapes of flesh managed to pronounce.

-Helen Bates- I saw my mother say.

Then I watched the receptionist - Okay, and you..... I lost it from there. She had turned to me and seemed to be waiting for a response. I stared blankly back at her, waiting for her head to turn, this time toward my mom who had begun speaking.

Yup..Embarassing. My mom HAS to speak for me. All the time.

I watched her - Crispin Bates, my son. He is deaf.-

I swallowed, watching as the woman's eyes softened and glanced toward me. There's that pity again.

I sighed looking down. A few minutes later, we were released and loaded into a cab.

I was grateful for the still-warm early September air, considering both of us were in thin t-shirts. Once seated I turned to my mom.

-I know you cant sign, but I can read your lips to understand you- I signed.

She nodded

-Where are we going now?- I asked.

I watched her - I.. um.. Im not sure Crispin. Right now were going to a hotel not far...so we'll see from there.-

I nodded, turning away and pressing my forehead against the cool window, wondering what on Earth we were going to do.

I had no idea where we were going to, but I had a feeling that we wouldnt be going back to my hometown. Where, there, my life had been relatively normal. People respected us and got over the pity for all the bad things that had ever happened to us. But that would change if we went back, and I know that my mom cant stand the pity either.

Were never going back. I wont be able to say goodbye to all the people that tried to be nice to me and all the teachers that struggled to teach me. I wont be able to walk through the park or elementary school I went to. And at the moment, I was upset and angry.

Why did the fire happen? Why us? Why me? Why my mom?

My mom. Shes been through so much and it seems she never gets a break.

I turned to look at her. She was facing away from me, crying. Why my mom??