Page 33 of Prodigal Son

“I’m aware,” she said with superiority as she pulled out a chair from the table for Cybil to sit. “She’s mute.”

Cain scowled, disliking either label. Cybil could talk, and she would when she was ready. She’d already suffered enough. She shouldn’t have to also suffer through Gracie’s tedious lessons. She should be free to play and explore the farm.

“Stop it, Cain,” Gracie said with a warning glance that reminded him to guard his thoughts. “Cybil needs to go to school with the other children, and she can’t do so if she has no way of communicating.”

“Who says? She communicates just fine.”

Rather than answer him, his sister collected a book from the shelf and set it on the table for Cybil. Reluctantly, the child took a seat.

Gracie occupied the seat across from her. “Now, let’s begin with the alphabet.”

Cybil mimicked Gracie’s hand movements as she recited the letters. Intrigued, Cain took the other seat at the table.

“Very good,” Gracie praised, motioning with her fingers from her chin down to her open palm. Her hands moved quickly as she spoke, “Now, can you tell me what month we’re in?”

Cybil held up her left hand, made a circle with her right thumb and index finger, keeping the other fingers straight, and glided it up and over her left palm.

“Good,” Gracie signed again and then repeated the motion Cybil had gestured. “That’s right, it’s February.”

Cain slid the book in front of him. “How long has she been practicing this?”

“For a few weeks. She’s very good at it. It’s quite easy. Watch.” She turned to Cybil and signed as she spoke. “Talk to Cain so he can learn. Tell him whatever you want.”

Cybil tapped her chin for a moment, and then her hands began moving rapidly. Cain had no idea what she was saying. He laughed nervously and looked at Gracie for help.

His sister smiled. “I think he needs you to go a little slower.”

Cybil’s hands moved as if she were conducting an orchestra. Her fingers twisted with ease and her expression was tense as she focused on making him understand. At one point, she screwed her lips to the side and looked at Gracie.

His sister read the child’s mind and then said, “Oh, like this.” Gracie held up her hand, fanning her fingers wide and then folded down her middle and ring finger. Cybil faced him and repeated the gesture.

“What did she say?”

Gracie blinked, as if surprised by Cybil’s declaration. She looked at Cain and signed through the monologue as she spoke. “She said she doesn’t want you to leave again. She missed you and has bad dreams when you’re gone. She asked, why don’t you stay here if this is home?”

He had followed the signs closely, but Gracie left something out. “And what does this mean?” He held up his palm and folded down his middle and ring finger, leaving his index finger and pinkie extended.

Gracie hesitated. “It means ‘I love you.’”

Cain’s heart constricted. He looked back at Cybil and held up his hand, two fingers folded down. “I love you, too, munchkin.”

And there was the reason he always felt lighter in her presence. No matter how complicated Cybil’s situation was, she was easy to enjoy. He liked that she was sweet and sarcastic in her own silent way. Although she was just a kid, she had an old soul and a quick wit. She trusted Cain even when most of his relatives did not.

He believed the farm would be a good home for her, a safe place where she could explore and grow. A place where she could heal at her own pace, but what did he know? He wasn’t an expert on children and he could hardly manage his own life let alone anyone else’s.

“Are you happy here?” he asked, using his fingers to point to his smile.

Gracie chuckled and showed him how to sign happy. He was way off.

Cybil signed and Gracie translated. “She said she’s happy when you’re here.”

He affectionately brushed a hand over her bonnet. “I’m staying for a while.”

When she smiled, his heart pinched. At least one person wasn’t angry with him.

He sat quietly through the rest of her lesson and tried to pick up as many expressions as possible. Cybil was quite fluent, as was his sister. When the lesson was over, Cybil left to return to his grandparents’ house, and Gracie moved on to preparing food for lunch and supper.

“Will you be eating with us, Cain?”

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