Page 5 of The Finder

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m so glad Mom has somebody to help her out before I can get here,” she said gratefully

“Well, Emma. I think you are going to work out just fine,” Helen said when Emma clocked out for the day.

“Thanks so much for giving me a chance,” Emma said.

Emma decided to head back to the library since she wouldn’t be able to get into Hope House until it opened for dinner at five. The afternoon passed quickly, and soon Emma found herself back at Hope House. Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the door and went inside. It was a totally different place. There was noise and women everywhere. Emma kept her head down and made her way to her room. She sat on her bed for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to try dinner. Her stomach eventually won out.

She opened the door and ran right into someone. “Watch where you’re going,” the girl sniped at her, pushing past her and into the room. Emma turned to watch as the girl walked over to her bed, sat down, put on headphones, and shut her eyes. Emma stared at her a moment longer before turning away.Well, I guess that’s my roommate,Emma thought to herself. Emma walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

She entered the dining area a few moments later. There were lots of women of all ages gathered. It was pretty loud. Emma eyed the serving line and went and got in line. Her stomach growled at the smell of meatloaf. She wasn’t sure if it would be any good, but she didn’t think it would matter at this point. She took her plate and moved to an empty table. She had just taken a bite when a woman and a little girl stopped across the table from her. “Can we sit here?” the woman asked.

“Of course,” Emma said.

“I’m Amy, and this is Olivia,” the woman said, nodding her head at Olivia.

“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Emma,” Emma said politely. She was just about to put her head down and take another bite when she saw Amy turn to Olivia and sign to her. Emma looked at Olivia closely. She was an adorable little girl, probably about five or so. She had brown curly hair and big brown eyes. She looked right at Emma and Emma smiled at her. Raising her hand, she pointed to herself and spelled out E-M-M-A to her. Olivia’s eyes lit up and she spelled out her own name to Emma. Emma stuck out her hand and Olivia’s small one met hers so they could shake.

Emma turned back to Amy. Amy was watching her carefully. “You know sign language?”

Emma shook her head regretfully. “No, I wish I did. I only know how to sign my name.”

Emma watched as Amy turned and signed something to Olivia. Olivia’s eyes lit up, and she signed something back to her mother. Amy frowned slightly and turned back to Emma. Olivia tugged on her arm, but Amy shook her head again. Emma watched their interaction. “Is everything okay?” she asked gently.

Amy looked at her like a deer in headlights. “Olivia said she would teach you sign language, but I’m sure you’re busy and wouldn’t want...”

Emma cut her off. “I would love that,” Emma said sincerely.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to,” Amy said nervously.

Emma smiled again. “I really would like to learn. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I will learn as much as I can before I go.”

Amy smiled, and Emma thought she might have seen a sheen of tears in her eyes before she turned and signed to Olivia. Emma watched and smiled as Oliva signed back. Amy turned to Emma with a smile. “She said she will be a good teacher.”

“I’m sure she will,” Emma said. “How old are you?” she asked Olivia directly. Amy asked her, and Olivia held up six fingers. Emma gave her a thumbs up.

“Did you just get here?” Amy asked. “We haven’t seen you before.”

“I did,” Emma said. Not wanting to have to deflect questions she couldn’t answer, Emma turned the conversation back to them. “How long have you been here?”

“A few weeks now,” Amy said, dejected. “I need to get a good job to provide for us, so we can get out of here, but it’s really hard to find something that works for both Oliva and me.” She didn’t say anything more, but Emma could only imagine what more to the story there was. She couldn’t imagine how hard Amy had it right now—trying to find a job with a deaf little girl to take care of at the same time. “If I could afford care for Olivia, obviously we wouldn't be here,” she said looking around the room.

“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how difficult it is right now,” Emma said. “You know, if I can help out in any way, I would be happy too. I don’t know if I could watch her for you around your work schedule or whatever.”

Amy didn’t say anything for a moment, and this time, Emma did see tears for real. “That would be really helpful,” Amy said. “I haven’t been able to go to many interviews because of not being able to take Olivia with me.”

“Well, I work from five to two each day. I can be back here by two fifteen. Any time after that, I would be happy to watch her for you,” Emma said.

“I will keep that in mind and see if I can get some interviews scheduled during that time,” Amy said. “Thank you,” she said sincerely.

Emma nodded, smiled at Olivia, and finished the last few bites on her plate. “So, when do I get my first lesson?” Emma asked Olivia.

Amy signed to her, and Olivia’s face lit up. She signed back to her mother and Amy turned to Emma. “She wants to know if right now works.”

“Perfectly,” Emma said.

Emma spent the next hour learning sign language from Olivia with Amy as an interpreter. By the time they were done, Emma knew how to sign—How are you, Goodbye, several other phrases, and a myriad of individual words. Emma hugged the two of them and went back to her room.

When they finished, Emma said, “I don’t have a phone or anything, but I’m in room 109. Feel free to leave a note whenever you need me to watch Olivia.”

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