Quiet vs. Loud

Dinner & Discussions

*******   RAYNE'S POV   ******

Riker and I followed Stormie into the kitchen for dinner.  Ross had brought home Chinese food, and a lot of it.  We all grabbed a plated and went to the table.  I ended up sitting between Riker and Rydel.  Let me just tell you that dinner in the Lynch household was interesting.  Ryland and Ross were trying to see who could put the most food in their mouth without spitting it out, Rocky and Ratliff were having fights with the chopsticks.  Rydel was talking to her Stormie about shopping, and Mark was just watching everyone with a smile on his face and talked to Riker about their plans for the next day.  I just sat and watched everyone.  Dinner at my house is nothing like this.  Mainly, it's a lot quieter.  I mean, yeah, I have parents and one brother that talk, and my othere brothers sign, so we do talk.  It's just quiet.

When we had all finished eating, Mark and Stormie went into the living room, while the kids cleaned up.  Ross and Rydel did dishes, Ryland wiped off the table, Rocky and Ratliff took out the trash, and Riker and I put away the leftovers.  After we were done, we all went to join Stormie and Mark in the living room. 

When everyone was seated, Ryland looked at me and said "OK, we ate.  Can we hear about your brothers now?  I am really ready to meet them."  Riker leaned over and smacked him on the back of the head. "Be nice" he said.  " Rayne will tell us when she is ready.  So just chill"

"It's OK Riker" I said with a smile.  "I'm ready.  It's not something that's hard to talk about, so I don't mind telling you."

I looked at everyone and said "OK, here I go.  If you have any questions, and I know you will, I promise to answer them as best I can when I am done.  As I already told you, I have 3 brothers.  Jackson will be 19 in two weeks, and Jayce and Whit are 16.  But the thing is, Jackson is deaf, and Jayce doesn't speak.  He can, but he just doesn't.  So I use sign language to talk to two of my brothers.  My other brother, Whit, makes up for the quiet by talking enough for everyone.  I also have 3 dogs, one of which is also deaf.  Lastly, there's my mom Ashley and my step-dad Evan."

Everyone just kinda looked at me with blank stares for a second, until Stormie asked the first question.  "If you don't mind me asking, why does your brother not talk if he is able to?"  "We don't know" I answered. "Sometimes we can get him to say a word or two, but that is extremely rare.  When he and Whit were learning to talk, Whit learned faster because he was around me more while Jayce was with Jackson.  So maybe that's how he's comfortable or maybe he doesn't want Jackson to feel left out.  We have tried to get him to tell us why, but he just answers with "because I don't want to."  So we just leave it alone.  He can communicate so we just figure he will talk when he's ready.  But if he never does, that's fine too."

Rocky said "I have a question.  Do you and your brothers enjoy music?"  I smiled at this.  "Yes, we all do.  In fact, I will warn you that there may be times that our house gets a little loud.  We turn the music up as loud as we can get it.  Jackson loves to feel the vibrations on the floor, and we have water speakers that we have fun with too.  Evan said that he would try to soundproof the basement if the noise was a problem for the neighbors, so if it bothers you, just let any of us know and we will get it taken care of."

Mark replied "I don't think noise will be an issue.  As you have seen tonight, we aren't the quietest household, and this was a quiet night.  So please, tell him and your mother not to worry about anything."

After that, I only had to answer a few randon questions.  Ryland wanted to know if any of us like video games (we all do, and Jackson is the best), Ross wanted to know if any of us play any instruments (we all do) and Rydel and Ratliff wanted to know if I could bring the dogs over sometime (I told them I would soon.)

Then we just sat around for a little longer talking until I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.  I pulled it out and saw a message from Jackson.  It simply read "Treats and 10 minute alarm.  And BTW, Jayce beat your high score.  That's what you get for not being here.  Luv U!!!!!"  I showed the message to Riker and he looked confused.  "What does that mean?"  he asked.  "Treats means I need to feed the dogs their treats when I get home  and 10 minute alarm means that everyone is getting ready to go to bed, and the alarm will be set in 10 minutes, so I need to get home."  I thanked Mark and Stormie for dinner, and after I promised to come back the next day, possibly with my dogs and brothers, Riker walked me to the door.

"I had a really good time today.  I'm glad I was here to answer the door." Riker said as he gave me a hug.  "I had a great time too.  Thanks for showing me around town.  I'll see you tomorrow."  I said and then I ran to my house.  Right before I went inside, I looked over and Riker was standing in his yard watching to make sure I got to my house ok.  I waved at him then walked into my house.  "Today was a great day" I thought with a smile.  "I just hope I have more like it." 

****Sorry this chapter isn't that good.  I have rewritten it several times, and I was never completely happy with it, but this is the best version that I have come up with.  I will try to do better on the next chapter.******