Page 39 of Prickly Romance

His lips are tense when he nods. “I’ll make the time. I’ve heard about what your foundation plans to do for the deaf community. I think this is an important project and I want to be a part of it. I’ll talk to Kenya and work out a schedule that she’s comfortable with. I’d like to work hard and fast so the program is completed as soon as possible.”

“That sounds like a deal.” I shake his hand.

The door opens, admitting another couple. Right behind them is a man. The three send their greetings to the children who are so engrossed in the game that they barely acknowledge them.

Dejonae is the only one who turns and dips her head, shooting out a quick introduction.

“Vanya isn’t picking up,” Sunny says, emerging from the kitchen. She glides to the man who just entered and gives him a peck on the lips. “Hi, honey.”

“Sorry I’m late. The therapy session went longer than expected. Did you say something about Vanya and Hadyn?”

The elder jumps to her feet. “Darrel, I broughtsoursapjuice for you to try. It’s in the fridge.”

“Thanks, Mama Moira,” Darrel grins.

The new couple notice me and lift their hands in welcome.

Alistair gestures to them. “This is Max and Dawn Stinton. Dawn is our resident mechanic. If you ever have car trouble, give her a call. There’s never been a vehicle she can’t fix.”

Max Stinton smirks as he takes off his suit jacket. “That should be your motto, Dawn.There’s never been a car she can’t fix.”

“I want royalties if you use my catchphrase,” Alistair says with a straight face.

Their easy camaraderie makes me feel strangely alone. My whole life, I set my identity in my family, but I never quite fit in.

The nail that sticks out is struck.

I learned to work together for the greater good, following the path set before me.But eventually, my heart wavered and I fell off the path. It cost me the family’s respect and approval.

Seeing this gathering, I wonder if all families are so severe.

And I wonder if some families are stronger even when they aren’t connected by blood.

* * *

It iswith an uncanny eagerness that I send Niko off to school the next morning.

She signs ‘I love you’ as usual.

I remind her not to run from her music lessons and then return the gesture.

After waving to Akira, my daughter slips out of the car and heads into the school building. The private school has its own on-staff interpreter, which was one of the reasons I chose to enroll her there.

“She seems eager to go to school this morning,” Akira says, glancing at me from the rear-view mirror. “As eager as you are to go to work.”

I pretend to scroll through the news on my phone. “Holland Alistair invited me to a gathering yesterday. I took Niko along and she made friends with the children. They all promised to sit with her at lunch.” I pause. “Except the little one. I believe she is in a different grade.”

“Niko made friends so easily?”

I nod.

“Can they sign?”

“Not that I am aware of.”

“Then how does she plan to communicate?”

I think about how Dejonae helped Niko get over her shyness while simultaneously allowing the other children to see my daughter as just another peer. After that first game ofGestures, Niko opened up completely and Beth, especially, seemed to take to her.

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