Unspoken - Sandi Lynn Page 0,4
different today.”
I filled the kettle with water, placed it back on its base and pressed the tea button.
“I met this guy at the grocery store,” I spoke and signed at the same time. “He paid for my groceries and gave me a ride home.”
“Eleanor Katherine Scott. Do you know how dangerous that is? Have I taught you nothing?”
“Relax, Mom. He’s a really nice guy and he’s so handsome.”
“It’s those nice ones you have to watch out for, Ellie. And why did he pay for your groceries?”
I picked up my wallet from the counter.
“I left this here.”
I looked over at the tea kettle and the red light appeared indicating the water was done heating. Taking two cups down from the cabinet, I placed a tea bag in each and filled them with water.
“How did you two meet?”
“I was picking out some apples and suddenly, they all began falling. When I looked over, he was standing there trying to help me stop them. My cart was blocking the aisle and of course I didn’t hear him say excuse me, so he moved my cart and hit the edge of the display. He was saying all kinds of things very fast, so I had to tell him I was deaf. And guess what?” My face beamed with excitement.
“What?”
“He started signing.”
“Really?” She cocked her head.
“Yeah, and he’s really good at it. Anyway, he was behind me in line and saw I didn’t have my wallet, so he offered to pay. Then when we walked out of the store, he offered me a ride home in his limousine.”
Her brows instantly furrowed at me.
“He has a limo?”
“And a driver.” I smiled. “We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow, and I’m going to pay him back for the food.”
“Why didn’t you just pay him back today since he drove you home?”
“I was going to, but he insisted we have lunch tomorrow.”
“What’s his name?”
“Henry.”
“How old is this Henry guy?” Her eye narrowed.
“Maybe a couple years older than me?” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Why and how does he know sign language?”
“I don’t know, Mom. The drive was short, and I didn’t ask him. I’ll ask at lunch tomorrow. Can you please stop asking a million questions?”
“You know I always look out for my baby girl.”
“I know.” I reached over and placed my hand on hers.
“I just don’t want you getting hurt by another guy,” she signed. “Anyway, thanks for the tea but I have to go and get ready.” She kissed my forehead. “Come by tomorrow night when I get home from work. I want to hear everything about this Henry guy.”
“I will.” I smiled as I hugged her.
After I made some pasta, I took my plate to the table and turned on my computer to do some work. The website I was working on was due in a couple of days and I was almost finished with it. I kept glancing over at my phone as it sat on the table. Henry had told me to text him with a time for lunch. Was it too soon to text him? It had only been a couple hours since he drove me home. What if he was busy and I interrupted him? Besides, I didn’t want to seem too eager.
My experience with guys had never been very good ones. The last relationship I was in lasted four months. I always fell for the ones who could hear, and many people had told me over the years that hearing/non hearing relationships never worked out or lasted. I refused to believe that because people were just ignorant. I knew there was a selfless special man out there for me who would love me despite my deafness. I used to take it personally when things with guys never worked out. But now that I was twenty-seven years old, I grew not to bother with men who weren’t willing to try or complained too much.
I’d finally finished the website and emailed my client. Shutting down my laptop for the night, I grabbed my phone and started the water for a bath. As I sat in the hot water with the peach smelling suds, I picked up my phone, took in a deep breath and sent Henry a text message.
“Hi. It’s Ellie. Tomorrow at noon would work for lunch. Is that a good time for you?”
My message went through as an iMessage. Thank God, he had an iPhone. I nervously stared at the screen for the three dots to appear. When they didn’t, I