Talking Loudly

Chapter 3

August was away. Well actually he was at his parents enjoying some family time. He was going to be there for a few days.

And his family was very grateful.

They all caught up and then his mom signed something that August hadn't gave much thought to.

"Any girls in your life?" she asks. August sighs and freezes right before he started to shake his head. His mom couldn't help but enjoy the hesitation.

"There is a girl I like," he starts off slowly thinking about a certain redhead who was at home reading.

The six words he had signed set his family off with a fire of questions coming from everyone.

August tells them to calm down and then talks about Beth. The story ended with, "I don't think she likes me back."

August heard his mom snort and watches as she rolls her eyes. His dad only laughed. His brother and now fiance only had smirks on their faces, and the twins were giggling.

"You are hard not to like," Reese signs to her brother. He couldn't help but smile at her.

He never was going to go that long without seeing his family again. August wraps his arm around his little sisters shoulder and kisses her cheek making her squirm and sign an over dramatic "EW!"

He laughs and watches very amused.

Over a hundred miles away was Beth was reading a book that she has read too many times. The current copy she had in her hands was falling apart. There were pages falling out and some were so worn that it was just splitting apart.

Her hair was annoying and she was at a boring part of the book. So then she decided she was going to take the tiring job of straightening her hair. A few hours later she was done and her arms hurt.

-The next day--

Beth had to look nice today. Today she was opening the coffee shop in her book store. She had on a nice pink dress and a black cardigan. She was strolling around in some black flats instead of her usual converse or black boots. She was nervous. Mr. Santorini was supposed to be here by now and he wasn't. He was supposed to come translate a little. He didn't know a lot of ASL, but the little that he knew helped a lot. And he was pretty good at finger spelling.

She started to pace and then saw the guy from the newspaper come in. One of her workers look over at her and Beth couldn't help but frantically shake her head. Beth then rushes to one of the corners of the store too nervous about what's going on. Where was he??? She feels a tap on her shoulder and she is relieved.

Mr. Santorini.

She smiles and hugs him.

"Sorry, I was yelling at August for being in the office," Mr. Santorini quickly signs. She nods her head and then leads him over to where she needed to be. There was a small group of people. Most where staff, a few friends, and Mr. Santorini. Mr. Santorini walks over to the newspaper reporter and talks to him. The guy nods in understanding and it made Beth feel a little uncomfortable.

Her being deaf made her feel uncomfortable.

Mr. Santorini signed a few things to her, "Stand in front of the coffee shop and smile."

She does what she's told and then she looks over just in time to see August join the crowd. He smiles at her making both of their hearts beat a lot faster than they were. The flash goes off and she walks over to the reporter.

"How long have you had the coffee shop?" the reporter asks. Mr. Santorini was trying to translate as best as he cold, but he was struggling. August saw that he was and walked over.