My Deaf World

ch9-Cody

Lunch was not the same today.  Everyone was looking at me and I knew that it was my job to go find the missing Fritz.  Lately he had been acting a little different, keeping more to himself than usual.

I pushed back my chair, hearing it scoot across the floor as I got up.  Unfortunately lunch had only started a few minutes ago so the cafeteria was packed with everyone going in the same direction so it was difficult with me going against the current.   When I went through the doors the hallway was empty except for one kid looking at the trophy case.  Fritz.

Fritz's shoulders tensed when he heard  the doors behind me close.  That action stopped me in my tracks and when he turned I stood still in surprise. This guy was a younger version of Fritz.  He had  different eye color but the same hair color, the same facial features, even the smile that he was shooting at me was the same as Fritz's. 

"I'm guessing behind those doors is the cafeteria.   This school is so small."  He said, more to himself, "Look there's even an article about a deaf boy on the towns football team."

I looked over his shoulder and sure enough there was an article about Fritz.  I never noticed that.

"That's my brother Fritz. You probably know him since this school is so small." He said.

This is Cody.  The son that Fritz's father wanted me to be with.

"Hey are you alright?" Cody asked, leaning down a little to get a better look at my face.

I shook my head. "Yeah. Have you seen Fritz by any chance?"

He looked around. "Yeah he was showing me around when the bell for lunch rang and we got separated.  And it's not like we can yell out for each other."  He shrugged like it was no big deal but I saw the worry in his eyes.

"That's why I'm standing here. Eventually he'll come to the cafeteria."

"That's true.  I'll stay with you.  I've been looking for Fritz."

He smiled at me and it felt weird because he looked just like Fritz when he smiled.

"Why are you waiting for him?" He asked.

Before I could answer Fritz rounded the corner looking concerned and bewildered before he saw us.  Then his expression calmed and he smiled at us.

"I'm glad to see you both." 

"Yeah I got to meet your friend here... I'm sorry I didn't get your  name." Cody turned to me.

I looked at Cody in shock.  The way Fritz talked about him I thought he hadn't learned how to sign like their father.

Cody chuckled, "I guess you've heard about me. I learned how to sign while I was away.  That doesn't excuse the fact that I should have learned while I was here." 

I looked at Fritz who looked so happy.  He stepped next to me and faced Cody.  "Cody this is my girlfriend Val.  Val this is my brother Cody"

"I did hear from mother that you have a beautiful girlfriend."

Cody smiled at me and then looked over my shoulder and froze.  I turned to look to see Taylor and Jordan standing there.

"You never came back so we came looking." Taylor said.

I was about to reply when Cody stepped around me and stood in front of Jordan.

"I was hoping I would get to see you today."  Cody said to Jordan.

Jordan looked back in surprise, "What are you doing here?"