Mute Dave

Chapter One

I don't remember everything that happened, but I do know there was a fire and Bro wasn't home. A neighbor was suppose to be watching me, but when the fire alarms went off they just kind of left me. I remember calling for Bro, although I think I was saying Bo since I was so young. I remember standing in a crib holding onto the side, and crying. I remember being afraid, and I remember hearing Bro call out for me after waiting so long. I remember him picking me up and going out the fire escape and taking me right to an ambulance. He pushed aside everyone and demanded I was looked at. Then I was rushed to the hospital. Apparently I had been in the smoke yelling for too long, because they said I wouldn't be able to talk for a while. Well, they were half wrong, and half right. I wasn't able to talk for a while, but I never could when I tried.

It was so frustrating. Especially being so young. Everything I tried to express nobody would understand. I tried to talk, I tried so hard, but I couldn't. I could make some sounds, but not anything that resembled words. I could tell, the longer it went on, that it was bothering Bro. He tried to be patient, but I could tell how upset he was. I know I gave up for a while. I know I didn't make any sound, and if Bro was talking to me I'd just nod or shake my head. It was hopeless.

Finally Bro seemed to get tired of this and he took me to a doctor. When they couldn't help me he took me to another, and then another, until it became obvious that I wasn't going to be able to speak anymore. One of the last doctors thought learning sign language would be a good idea, so that's eventually what we did. Bro had to learn it so he could understand me, I had to learn it because it was the only way I'd be able to communicate.

At first I'd sign so fast Bro would need me to do it again. I was so happy I could talk to him again. Well, communicate with him again. Bro would still talk to me, but sometimes he would sign. It was all going great until I was old enough to go to school. I went to a normal school and a women was supposed to follow me around all day translate anything I needed. It didn't make any sense to me when nobody knew what I was trying to tell them. The first day I got really upset and just wanted to go back home. Bro waited for me outside of school and I ran to him when I saw him. He picked me up and helped me into his truck before we went home. When we were siting at the table just after we'd finished eating Bro spoke.

"I guess you didn't have fun at school, huh?"

I signed 'I don't want to go back. I want to stay home with you.' Bro shook his head.

"You can't Dave, you have to learn. I know it's hard, especially because you're different, but you just have to try for me."

'I don't like it. Nobody understood me.'

"I know, you just have to be patient with them."

'Fine. How did you know it wasn't a good day?'

"Your teacher called me. She said you seemed upset."

'You would be upset too if nobody listened to you.'

"I would be, but the other kids aren't doing it on purpose." I nod and hold up my arms. Bro laughs at me. "Guess your tired?" I nod again and he picks me up. He carries me to my room and tucks me into bed. "Good night."

'Good night.' Bro ruffles my hair and leaves. He always keeps the door open and the hall light on, but it's not like he could hear me if something was wrong. I pull my blankets up around me tightly. Maybe if I don't even try to talk to the other kids it would be easier. They wouldn't look at me as if I'm crazy. I roll over so I'm not facing the hall light, but I can still see the light on the wall. I sit up and watch my shadow as I sign. Maybe it looks weird to the other kids. I sign just about everything I know and I'm starting to repeat when Bro's shadow blocks the light I was using. I don't turn around to face him as he gets closer. I feel my bed shift as he sits down.