Page 50 of The Sign for Home

Snap released a sigh, before lowering her head sadly onto her paws. Of course, this was my own anthropomorphic interpretation. Snap, at eightand a half, was nearing retirement. That the two would be separated for the yearlong mission meant that they were probably only a matter of weeks away from the end of their working relationship.

“But what will happen to her?” I asked, as dark visions of Snap’s fate flooded my mind.

“Snap will okay,” Arlo answered, like it was something he had practiced telling himself. “Snap will live where she trained as a puppy. She will help teach other guide dogs. Future, when back, me and Snap will live together again forever. Brother Birch promise.”

“I see,” I signed, trying to shake off my doubt. “That sounds great. I’m sure she’ll be happy there, and a year goes by fast anyway.”

Again, Arlo looked disturbed, and did that thing where he squeezed his fist and eyes, like he had a momentary fight with someone in his head.

“Ecuador very far,” Arlo signed suddenly, clearly no longer wanting to talk about Snap. “Sitting on plane for seven hours and forty-five minutes. Wow. Very long time. So boring.”

“True,” I signed, joining him in changing the subject. “I’m curious, what’s Ecuadorian sign language like?”

“Not sure yet. But will learn. JWs learn other languages—champion! Our friend already live there. She expert Ecuadorian sign language. Work Deaf school. New sign language, I will learn fast.”

“Oh, wow. Cool. I’d give anything to get out of Poughkeepsie for a long trip.”

“You don’t like Poughkeepsie?”

“It’s fine. It’s just that I’ve lived here all my life. The farthest I’ve ever traveled has been a trip to Miami when I was twelve and a trip to Toronto. I used to have this close friend. We always talked about traveling all over the world together, but it never happened.”

“Why?” Arlo asked.

“Well, he and I… we stopped being friends,” I signed, appropriatelyvague. “I just never got around to doing it on my own. Too busy, I suppose. Kept putting it off. Things happen that way sometimes. The good news is, I might move to Philadelphia in September and work there. I have to see. It just would be nice to have a change, you know?”

Arlo nodded and then laughed. It was the first time he had smiled since I sat down.

“Yes. I know. Feel the same. I grew up here too. Then went away to Rose Garden School but have to come back.”

“The Rose Garden School? That’s way up near the Canadian border, right? Wow… did you like it?”

“Beats here,” he signed, using the sign that can meanconquer. “Poughkeepsie very, very boring.”

“I agree. So boring! But I guess if you have to be stuck somewhere, Poughkeepsie isn’t the worst place to be stuck. I mean, the nature is nice. And New York City isn’t that far.”

“New York City—I never touch.”

“Are you serious?” I signed, a little more surprised than I should have been. “It’s only an hour and a half away!”

Arlo shook his head.

“Two times touch Albany, many times touch Rome, Rochester, other places. Not much to do for DeafBlind man in Poughkeepsie. No friends here. Back at school I have best friends, Martin and Big Head Lawrence.”

“You mentioned them before,” I signed, leaning in, hoping Arlo would tell me more. “I’m curious, why exactly did they give him that name-sign, Big Head Lawrence?”

“Because… big head.”

I laughed. Sometimes it was hard to know if Arlo understood that what he signed was funny. But other times I was certain he did. He has that terrific mix of innocence and brilliance.

“Okay,” I signed, playing along. “That makes sense.”

“Long time ago, Martin, me, and Big Head Lawrence do everythingtogether. All night long chat chat chat. F-U-N. And also… other friends too. But I curious, I wanted to ask you…”

He stops. What? What does he want to know? I feared I might lose the opportunity so I pressed him to talk.

“Do you ever see them? Martin, Big Head Lawrence, or any other friends from school?”

“No. No. Far away. Long time ago.”

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