Josephina and Thomas had arrived just after lunch. I was sitting on the porch, waiting for them. Josephina said beside me and Thomas pulled up a chair to sit in.
"How are you, Athena?" Josephina asked.
"I'm doing alright," I replied. "How's Thomas?"
"I'm doing alright," Thomas replied, a giant grin on his face.
I grinned too. "Your ASL is doing great, Thomas. Did Josephina teach you more?"
Thomas looked at Josephina and then nodded. "I try."
"You're doing so well, Thomas," I said. "I'm so proud of you."
Thomas smiled when Josephina translated. "Thank you, Athena."
I smiled and shook my head. We talked outside for hours. We eventually got hungry and went inside.
I cooked them dinner and we sat in my room, joking around and laughing. Thomas was learning a lot of sign language. I was proud of him. He didn't know me very well but he was learning so well.
It was almost nine o'clock before Josephina and Thomas left. I waved them goodbye and sat on my porch, loving the smell of the night. I always love the night. It smelled so nice and calmed me. In Oregon, it smelled like sun roasted blackberries and dusk. In McFarland, it smelled like dust and sadness.
I sat there for an hour or so before going inside. I changed into pajamas and laid down. I fell asleep rather quickly, not ready for the next day.
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Listen Closely (Victor Puentes/McFarland USA Fanfic)
FanfictionAthena Sanders is deaf and new to McFarland, where not many understand ASL. It doesn't help that she has vitiligo, a skin condition that causes her usually dark skin have white patches. She's been judged her entire life because of it. Athena doesn't...