Love is Deaf

Chapter 11

Malia wakes up to the vibration of her phone underneath her pillow. She had set an alarm for 7 this morning because she has an appointment at 8 for new hearing aids as well as an appointment right after for speech therapy. She gets out of bed, trying not to wake Kylie. She leaves a note and closes the door behind her. She grabs a bottle of Gatorade from the fridge as she sees Ruby sitting on the couch, texting away. Who the hell is she messaging at this hour?

Ruby looks up at the sound of the fridge closing and smiles. She waves and motions for her to come over. Malia hesitates but walks over regardless. Ruby types on her phone before showing her.

Where you going this early?

Malia takes out her phone and types a response.

Nowhere just got errands to run

Ruby nods and gives her a thumbs up. Malia looks at her typing on her phone again but this time it was an actual text message. She waves to get her attention again.

Who you texting? 😏

Ruby blushes before she types on her keyboard.

No one

Malia nods as she gives her a look like she doesn't believe her. Ruby types another response.

Don't u have somewhere to be?

Malia laughs and nods. She points to the door as she walks out. Ruby waves goodbye before she shuts the door. She walks to her hearing aid specialist and checks in. She waits a few minutes before the specialist comes in. Hello Malia, how are you? Malia smiles and nods. I'm good. He nods. Good, so what brings you here today? I see you already have hearing aids. Malia nods. Yes, these are only for ambient noise, i was hoping to get the implant. He nods. You know while it does give you the ability to hear again, it's not like you can actually hear voices, it's all elctronic, robotic even. And you'll have to go through a great deal of speech therapy afterwards. Malia sighs. I know, but at least i can learn to hear again and maybe finally tell my girlfriend that i love her. She sighs. He smiles and nods. I understand. Well, how about you take some time to think about it and let me know what you decide? And maybe it's not my place to say, but i would suggest talking to your girlfriend about this too. Malia sighs and nods.

They part ways as Malia makes her way back to the front. She waves at Mel as she approaches her. Hey! Were you planning on doing speech? She asks. Malia shakes her head. I was thinking about getting the implant but, now I don't know anymore. I mean, I'll be able to hear but if i can't even actually hear Kylie's voice, what's the point? Mel nods. I understand that. But sometimes, not always, sometimes being able to hear at all is better than nothing. Even if it is electronically. I had a grandparent that was getting old. He refused to get a hearing aid so it was kind hard for us to communicate with him without shouting. One day, he was walking across the street when a car came....we all called to him but he still couldn't hear, and sometimes i just think, if he wasn't so stubborn, maybe, just maybe, he would have at least heard something, anything before that car hit him. Malia stares at her as she thinks. Was it worth it? She won't be able to hear Kylie's voice but at least she can hear, right?

Mel's phone goes off as she hurries to answer it. She smiles as she replies back. Is that a certain blonde haired beauty? She smirks. Maybe. Mel shrugs. Should ask her out. She rolls her eyes. We're just friends! How many times do we have to say it?! First Kylie, now you?! Get out! Just get the fuck out! Malia gasps. How dare you! That wasn't very welcoming, i should file a complaint and get you fired! Mel visibly groans. Just go back to your girlfriend!

Malia laughs as she walks back to Kylie's apartment. She had a lot to think about. Hearing anything is better than not hearing at all. Is it? She knows her insurance will cover it, so money isn't an issue, the issue is does she really want it? Is this really what she wants?