Mute Dave

Chapter Two

Jade laughs and claps her hands. 'I never thought I'd get to meet you.'

'I never knew we were this close. I thought we lived far away.'

'Yeah me too. If you're not busy I would love to hang out.'

'Right now?'

'Well, it doesn't have to be right now.'

'No right now is fine. What do you want to do?'

'Lets go for a walk in the park.' Jade grabs my arm and drags me along to the park. Every dog we see she has to stop and pet. She asks first of course, then I think she can read lips to find out their answer. We eventually find an unoccupied bench that we sit on and sign. I get to know her a lot better. She lives with her grandfather, who isn't home often. Jade talks about how it's sort of lonely, except she has a dog. 'He's like a guide dog, except I don't need a guide dog. I can take him everywhere but school.'

'Why can't you take him to school?'

'Because I really don't need him. I take him everywhere else because I can.'

'Oh.'

'So what about you?'

'I live with my brother, he's normally home though. Uh, we don't have any pets or anything. Unless you count the crows that always are on our roof.'

'That's so cute. Little crows must be adorable.'

'Little crows? You do realize baby birds are born without feathers?'

'I know that! I'm talking about when their just learning to fly and stuff.'

'Ok, no need to get your rage on.' Jade rolled her eyes.

'You don't have to answer this, but were you just born unable to talk?'

'No actually. When I was really little the apartment I was in caught on fire, and my brother wasn't home. The neighbor that was supposed to be watching me just sort of left. My brother saved me, but I was in the smoke for too long. The damage was already done.'

'Oh Dave that's so horrible.' I shrug my shoulders at Jade.

'It doesn't really bother me that much. So what about you?'

'I use to be able to hear, then about four years ago I just couldn't anymore. My grandfather got me a really good doctor though. This doctor thinks I'll be able to hear again.'

'That's great.'

'Actually it's a little scary. He wants to do experimental treatments and then maybe surgery.'

'That does sound a little intimidating.'

'Yeah.' Jade glances at her watch and stands up suddenly. 'I really have to go, my grandfather will be really worried if I'm not home soon. I'd love to hang out again.'

'Me too. Bye I guess.'

'Bye.' Jade starts to walk away, but then she comes back and gives me a hug. I'm too surprised to hug her back. 'I'm really glad I got to meet you Dave.' This time when Jade starts to walk away she keeps going. I turn around and head for home as well.

As soon as I shut the door to my apartment I'm pushed against the wall. "Dave you scared the shit out of me." Bro's large arms wrap around me and squeeze me tightly. I try to push him back a little, but he doesn't budge. I start to struggle and he lets me go.

'That hurt.' I sign then rub my arms.

"Where were you? It's not like you to just ditch school."