“Need some help?”
“Evan.”Jonas stalked over and shook hands.“Good to see you again.We’d love some help.”Fortunately, the man faced him and spoke clearly.Jonas had grown up here and had spent plenty of time with the Jameson kids.He hadn’t immersed himself in ASL like Mercedes had, but he’d picked up enough to get by.Kids didn’t always need lots of words to have fun, plus Brian was the same age as Jonas and was usually around to interpret.
Pierre came over and greeted Evan and signed, “Thank you.”Then, he indicated the deflated tent and grimaced.
“I’ve done a tent like this a few times before.It’s definitely a four-man job.Let me get my Pops.”When Evan swiveled to leave, his grandfather was already standing there, ready to help.
Evan gave simple instructions and pointed where each of them needed to stand, hold, and lift.It took some doing, but they finally hammered in the last stake that pulled the fabric taut.All four men stood back, arms crossed, looking pleased with themselves.
“Never would have gotten that done without you.”Jonas stuck his finger in Evan’s direction.
He shrugged, hating the limelight even for a small thing.“Means I get a second piece of the cake, right?”
Jonas and Pierre laughed.“Absolutely.”
“Anything else you need help with?”he asked, hoping Mercedes would come out and say hi.He was completely ridiculous with his need to be with her.How had he managed before they moved in together?
Pierre smirked and jerked a thumb toward the truck in the driveway.“Chairs and tables.We can get them if you have other things to do.”
“No problem,” Pops signed.
As they marched toward the truck, Evan dug his elbow into Jonas’ side.“That’s two pieces of cake and an extra hamburger.”
Jonas elbowed him back.“You got it.”
The tables and chairs were set up quickly with four of them working.Once done, Pierre waved them away, saying, “Enjoy a little time before the party.Thank youagain.”
Evan and Pops spent the next hour chatting about his job and going over a few things in theHeavy Equipmentbook.When his parents showed up with Deanna and Brian, they all headed over with their food contributions and small presents for the anniversary couple.He hadn’t even known what to get them, but his roommate was a godsend and picked up something from them both.
Did you miss me and all my charm?he signed as soon as he got close to Mercedes.
She played along by clasping her hands to her heart.“Terribly so.I cried all night long.”
She rolled her eyes, then greeted his family.Carli and Blake were just pulling in, so Mercedes jogged off to say hello and most likely ask a few questions about the wedding.She’d attempted to get his opinion on some of the plans, but he played the deaf card and claimed he hadn’t heard anything.It wasn’t far from the truth.Wedding details were not his thing.He was happy to see his sister married to her true love, but he didn’t want to be included in any plans, other than showing up in his tuxedo and walking Mercedes down the aisle.As a bridesmaid.
The party filled up quickly, and Evan soon shrunk back into his toned-down personality.He felt uncomfortable around hearing people, especially ones he didn’t know.These were mostly friends of Pierre and Lisette.None of them had any reason to be conversant in ASL.Whenever he had to engage with hearing people, it sucked the energy right out of his body.He’d rather hang out with those who spoke his language.
As he watched Mercedes chat with her father and mother, he attempted to read her lips.For the life of him, though, he couldn’t understand a single word.
A tap on his shoulder had him glancing at Jonas.“Unless you know French, you won’t figure it out.”
Relief hit him hard.“French.I thought I was losing my lip reading ability.”
Jonas gave the universal sign for “food” and cocked his thumb over his shoulder.Evan followed him to the laden table and grabbed a plate.This was the best reason for a party.Lots of food.
He settled at one of the tables with his parents and siblings as they ate.More conversation about the wedding passed between his mother, Deanna, and the bride-to-be.The men tried valiantly to stay out of the chatter.The food was excellent, even though Mercedes’ mom hadn’t made most of it.
As they were finishing up their meal, Mercedes skipped over and waved her hands.“You know you’re sitting at the same table as a hero.”
The others signed question marks and peered around.Evan frowned at her and shook his head.We don’t need any stories.Thanks.
“Too bad.”Mercedes wrinkled her nose, looking far too adorable.“I think everyone should know what you did yesterday.”
Brian grinned.“Did it involve the cops?Maybe we don’t mention that in front of the parents.”
He glared at his older brother.He may not have always been the straightest arrow, but he’d never done anything illegal.
“No,” she continued and Evan plopped his head in his hands.“Last night, after a lovely meal of fried clams, we walked along the marina.There was some construction going on and a family with several small boys were watching.Evan could tell something was wrong with the bucket of the loader and raced off to grab the boys and move them out of the way.Literally seconds before the bucket lock popped and dropped a ton of concrete and debris where the kids had been standing.”
