two.
The train rides were always long, I could tell you that. But watching him made the ride seem much shorter. He had me in a sort of haze, I guess.
Coffee was hot. Did you know that? I didn't realize just how hot it was until the train got bumpy - and I was dazed out - and it poured all over me. Coffee hurts.
That day was special to me, a day I would never, ever, ever forget. We had both gotten off at the same stop, seemingly headed in the same direction. I had decided to grab a bite to eat at the diner (the one near his house, remember?) and I guess he did too. My loneliness took over and I guess that's where it started.
"May I sit with you?" I say, extra careful with how I shaped the words. Maybe he could read lips. I'll be completely honest, I'd never met a deaf person before.
I even pointed to the empty seat in front of him, implying I wanted to sit.
He puts his thumb up, a small smile forming on his face. He continues to read the menu, pretty much ignoring my presence beside him.
"Can you read lips?" I type on my phone, showing it to him.
"I'm hard of hearing, not completely deaf." he says, voice low and weak. He clearly doesn't talk a lot.
"Sign language?" I speak a little louder than intended, a deep blush painting my cheeks. He nods.
The rest of the dinner was extremely quiet - uncomfortably quiet. I guess for him, too.
"You have a coffee stain." he typed into his phone, letting the app talk to me.
"Oops." I say, looking at my jeans. I hadn't noticed.
He smiles at my silliness, shaking his head and taking a sip of his coffee.
