Alterity

Chapter Five

I run my hand under the bathtub's awkwardly-spurting faucet, adjusting the knobs accordingly so it is perfectly lukewarm, filling the tub about a quarter way up with water. It's my job to give Aiden his bath on Wednesdays and Fridays and he will only sit in the tub if the water is lukewarm. You also can't fill the tub up too high because he does a lot of splashing and will drench the entire bathroom with water.

"Aiden!" I say, walking into his bedroom. "Time for bath."

He looks up at me from the mess of toys on the floor, jumping up and down and making the sound he always makes when he's excited, which sounds a bit like if someone were to imitate the sound of a foghorn in a hum. Without my needing to ask, he kicks off his clothes and darts into the bathroom, taking my hand and testing the water with his toe to be sure I got the temperature right.

Once comfortable he plops down in the tub and lets me wash his body, which is the easy part. He absolutely hates having his hair washed so we only do it every couple of baths because the process of shampooing him is a brutal one for all those involved, though he tends to be best when I'm the one that does it.

When Aiden is all clean, I help him dry off and get him his pajamas to change into, which he does himself, before putting him to bed. He grabs me in a tight hug around my neck and presses his nose and mouth into the side of my face, which is Aiden's way of giving kisses. I clean the toys off his bed, get him tucked up in his weighted blanket, kiss him on the cheek and stroke his hair the way he likes until he falls asleep. Seeing Aiden sleep is always so incredible to me because he is as silent and still as anybody else is. I smile and turn off the overhead light, being sure his nightlight is still on and leave the room. By this point, I am exhausted and collapse into bed, not even bothering to change out of my jeans.

Apparently, Mrs. Sig is a crazy busy person. Since I had been testing with her for the better part of two whole school days, I guess the thought didn't cross my mind that she might never be available. I go by her office after each class to try and ask her about Sign Language and she isn't there each time. After fourth period I try waiting around for about ten minutes before I give up and angrily walk to lunch.

Munching on reheated fries and a tasty-but-rubbery burger, I look at an ASL alphabet chart that I saved to my phone and continue trying to get it memorized. I keep forgetting q, r, g and f, shaking my hand out and starting over after each mess-up. I look up at Leo, who is sitting alone at the same table as he did the previous day, eating his fries with one hand and scrolling through his phone with the other. He's so fucking beautiful I can't even.

All of a sudden, a thought occurs to me: Only one letter of the four I keep forgetting is required in introducing myself. Newfound excitement flooding through me, I quickly remind myself of r, practice once more, then put my phone back in my pocket and take a deep breath before attempting an introduction for the second time.

Leo looks up from his food and raises his eyebrows the way he does.

I wave, point to myself and then carefully spell out "E-R-I-K" in Sign Language.

Leo laughs. A loud sort of giggly laugh that makes it obvious he's deaf and that sends my head spinning faster than before. He responds in Sign Language and despite his clear attempt to go slowly, I of course, have no idea what he's saying and am a bit too distracted by his laugh and dimpled smile to even notice anyway. He sighs and takes out his phone. typing on it quickly and then handing it to me.

The screen is open to the Notes app, on which he was written: That was HILARIOUS. I laugh nervously and type my own message, handing it back to him: Sorry... Just started practicing the alphabet and wanted to say "hi."

Leo opens his mouth a little and nods his head as if he were saying ohh and then smiles and gives me a small wave—hi—turning his attention back to his lunch and his phone. I go back to my own table and plop down in the seat, my stomach feeling like it's full of helium. I don't care if I have to hunt Mrs. Sig down like an animal or steal some cash out of my dad's wallet to pay for lessons: I am going to learn American Sign Language.