Quiet

Big Changes

Saturday, July 9th, 2011: Grandma and Grandpa Jim's House

I walked slowly down the old, wooden stairs to the kitchen. The memorable scent of bacon flooded my mouth and surrounded me. 

"Good morning, Katie. How did you sleep last night?"

I guess he was still trying to get me to talk to him. If nothing else, My grandpa Jim was stubborn. It had been about five years since I had stopped talking. I like to think that it happened gradually and that everyone just eased into it, but that's not true. It happened suddenly. I just stopped. 

Perhaps I've been silent for so long that I can't talk anymore. I haven't tried. I haven't wanted to. And no one can make me do something I don't want to.

I sat down at the kitchen table and my plate was set in front of me. I didn't have to look up to know that it was my grandmother serving food. Grandpa Jim would never. However, he did manage to sit down for breakfast with me and grandma that morning. He didn't usually do that.

"Katie, Grandma, I have some news for you both. We're selling this house and moving to the country. I know it's a big change for you Katie, but I think you'll like it there. They say that it's quiet. Real quiet. And we all know how much you like when things are quiet."

The doctors told Grandma and Grandpa Jim that I stopped talking because loud noises hurt my head. They told everyone that I didn't like any noise because it hurt. It doesn't. I like the noise.

"Oh, that's great, Grandpa! I'm so excited! Are you excited, Katie?"

I shrugged and stuffed a fatty slice of bacon in my mouth. I had a feeling that Grandma had known about this long before now. Both my grandparents were so fake. Everyone was fake around me. People are real when they think I can't hear them. I wish people were always real.

I tried to block out Grandpa Jim. He was talking about school now. I hate school. It's where people are the fakest. Teachers, students, parents, anyone. I would much rather sit alone at lunch and risk being a target for bullies than have some group of ill-intentioned girls invite me over to sit with them and then talk about me behind my back. People think that because I don't talk, I can't hear. I can hear better than most people.

                                                                                That Evening

I didn't hear when we were moving, and I didn't ask. I guessed soon; Grandpa Jim does not like to wait. I had started packing my few items I cared about when Grandma barged into my room uninvited. I glared up and motion for her to knock next time. 

She sighed. "How would you even answer?" she asked exasperatedly. She got distracted very easily.

I suppose I wouldn't.

"Anyway, you're forgetting almost all your clothes! And all your toys!"

I, having succesfully flustered Grandma, taped up the box with my most prized possessions in it and labeled it Katie. I then strode out of my room in search of a snack.