Page 31 of The Sound Of Us

“You’d better get those grades up, Casey, or we’re both dead, you hear me? And you’re not getting your change,” he shouts. Casey just waves her books in the air and continues to sprint down the street.

“It's that JamieReadsRomance. This happens every single time she posts something,” Ben says when he comes back in.

“But you're the one who made a whole table for her,” I point out.

Ben gives me a bored look. “Yeah, okay? So? That Casey is going to get me fired.”

“Or she’s gonna fire you.” I laugh.

“One way or the other, I’m screwed then, huh?”

“Looks like it.”

“But you’ll bring me some good soup when I land up under that bridge, right?”

“Yeah, sure. If I’m still alive.”

Ben slaps the back of my head. “Shut up, Axel. You’re fired.”

Chapter 15

Eli

My life falls into a weird yet comforting routine. I get about three hours of sleep, which is a step up from the two hours I’ve been getting these last few months.

Mrs. Dalton makes me tea every single day at ten a.m.. She brings it to me and we sit on the front porch like two old friends. We don’t talk much because she hasn’t been able to get around to attending sign language classes because of her bad knee. It’s hard to get up the steps, and she doesn’t like to be a burden to people if Axel isn’t around to help her. I know all of this because Mrs. Dalton writes me letters along with making me tea. That was in her first letter. Subsequent letters included how her flowerbeds are doing now that winter was in full swing, how much Axel helps her and have I met Axel yet? I answer her questions in each letter with notes of my own.

I learn that her daughter is having a baby in a few months and that she’ll be flying to England to meet her first grandchild soon.

As best as she can, she tells me stories about Aunt Alberta. They were, afterall, neighbors for a long time.

As for meeting Axel, I simply say yes, but I feed her obvious affection for him, trying to get information about him. The most I’ve been able to gather is that he is a beautiful soul with a heart of gold, but I’d kind of suspected that already.

Then, there’s the weekly check up by the mayor, who’s always impressed by the progress I’ve made with the house, judging by the number of thumb ups he gives me.

I’m the ‘honored’ guest every Saturday at the library, but I think they’ve given me the title to make sure I attend sign language classes and assure them that they’re doing a good job. They are. Doing a good job, that is. What a dedicated bunch of people. Their effort is endearing.

My days are filled with working outside while the renovators work inside, driving into the town’s centre for food and supplies and making as much chit-chat with the people as can be allowed between a deaf guy and people who are still learning sign language

Then, apparently, as the newest resident of River Valley, albeit temporarily, I get to help in the celebration of the newly reopened fire station.

“After three years, can you believe?” the reverend’s wife says when I arrive early on Saturday morning.

Sign language classes had been moved to the afternoon so everyone could attend the grand re-opening. Everyone had clubbed together to serve food, including me. It wasn’t that I was in my kitchen cooking up a storm. I chose the simplest way to solve that problem, and that was to pay for everything. So, out in the back, rows of casserole dishes line up on makeshift tables, already hot and tempting everyone.

After an eternity, speeches are finally done. Some of which I got and some not. I missed some of the speeches because the speakers were mostly facing the other side, but really, the reason was that Axel was standing just in front, off to the side.

I found myself watching him too intently sometimes and had to force my eyes elsewhere. His husband stood next to him, his hand wrapped around Axel’s waist. Frank Davis felt like a loud person. His mouth opened too big when he laughed and the playful slaps he gave the people around him—his friends probably—felt large and unnecessary. To my dissatisfaction, people around him seem to like him.

Axel mostly didn’t participate in their theatrics, but he did smile at Frank every so often when Frank leaned over to say something to him.

They seemed like any normal couple. Although, I can’t imagine anything normal about being slapped across the face, for any reason.

When it’s time to officially open the fire station, I do my honorable guest duty and, together with the mayor, I help cut the ribbon with a huge pair of scissors. Everyone claps and Axel stares at me from the crowd below. I return his gaze because I want him to know that I’m looking at him, too.

Everyone cheers when they hear the food bell. It’s time to eat. I join the Mom’s Club, dishing up for the people. I’m in charge of the sticky wings.

It’s still early, so most of the residents are sober and sane and in need of a wholesome meal. Thank you was last week’s word in sign language class, so every single person who came up for sticky wings said thank you in sign, including the smallest kids.

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