“That’s right behind the dugout.You got these free?’
Pierre nodded and kept moving with the crowd toward their section.Evan’s heart beat faster with anticipation.When they got to their seats, he stared in awe at how close they were to home plate.
“Wow.Thank you.”
Pierre shrugged.“Someone gave them to me.”
Once they were seated, they could use the phone app easier.
Evan typed.—I want to get a hot dog and snacks at some point, but I’ll wait until the crowds die down.—
Pierre grinned and spoke into his phone.—It’s not baseball without a hot dog.—
Someone next to them said something, but Evan didn’t catch it.Pierre chatted with the man for a few minutes, and Evan sighed.It was like being back in school with all the kids talking and laughing, while he didn’t understand what they were saying.It happened at work on occasion, though he usually ate lunch by himself so others didn’t have to attempt to sign, and he didn’t have to get tired from trying to read everyone’s lips.Especially as they were all chewing and talking at the same time.
Pierre faced back toward him and spoke into his phone.—Sorry.You need to teach me more signs so I can talk to you better.How do you say first inning?—
Evan showed him the signs, then went through a bunch of other baseball-related signs.Pierre caught on quick, and they practiced before the game started.With the new ASL vocabulary, they were able to discuss the players and the recent games easier.As often happened, other people stared while they signed.He was used to it, though he’d prefer it if they all just minded their own business.
Once the game started, all eyes were on the field.Evan might not be able to hear the cheers, but he could feel the energy when one of the Sox players got a base run or tagged someone on the opposing team out.
After the second inning, he began to get hungry.He tapped out on his phone.—I’m going to get food.What can I get you?—
Pierre pointed to himself.“I can get it.”
—You drove all this way and got the tickets.I know they were free, but you shared them with me.My treat.A hot dog and what else?—
Pierre texted back a few snack items, and Evan headed toward the concession stand.He had the order already typed out on his screen when he got to the front.He didn’t want anyone else to have to wait because the person at the counter didn’t understand him.And he hated the weird looks he got when he used his voice.
Loaded down with food, he made his way back to their seats.As he handed the cardboard box to Pierre, a woman a few rows behind them waved at him.
“I can sign a little,” she said and batted her eye lashes at him.
“Great,” he said and signed back.Too many people said they could sign, then only used profanity or did some stupid hand gestures that didn’t mean anything.
“Hello.Thank you.You’re welcome.I love you.”
Heat traveled to his cheeks as he replied, “Great job.Thanks.”He quickly sat and grabbed his hot dog and beer.Okay, she used the signs correctly, but it wasn’t like she’d said a sentence.He peeked over his shoulder, and she waved again with a wide smile.What did he even do with that?
Pierre threw him a weird look.Would he be mad that someone flirted with him?No, because he and Mercedes weren’t a couple.They were roommates.That’s it.If they were more, he might not be so kind about them living together.
When Pierre finished his food, he dug out his phone and spoke into it.—Do you have a girlfriend?—
“No.Not for a while.”He voiced, not wanting to have that conversation continue.
—Mercedes isn’t seeing anyone either.That I know of.Is she?”
Evan shook his head and dug out his phone.“Not that she’s told me, but I try to mind my own business.She had some people over from work a while back, both guys and girls.None of them seemed romantic with her.—
Pierre read the text and merely nodded, his expression neutral.
—We were in Boston a couple weeks ago and some guy put the moves on her.She said it was an old boyfriend.—
Pierre spoke into his phone.“It wasn’t Callum, was it?She hasn’t dated a ton, but he was a real dud.I think she only dated him because he likes to read a lot and so does she.She’s very studious.Always was, even in the younger grades.Always reading.We had to shoo her out of the house at times so she’d get some fresh air.Then, she’d bring a book outside and read it under a tree or at the beach.—
Another reason she and Evan weren’t a good match.—Yes, she loves her books.—
As if reading his mind, Pierre voiced to his phone.—A good couple doesn’t have to enjoy the same things.My wife and I are very different.There are some things that we have fun doing together, but many activities we each do on our own.It’s actually a good thing to have some time apart.Living in each other’s pockets can be tiresome.You know what they say about too much togetherness.—
