Harm could only shrug.There was some learning involved, but he didn’t mind that.The important thing was that it was a job and he could support himself.
“What books are you looking for tonight?”
Harm placed his returns on the counter and pointed to the adventure fiction.Then, knowing where it was, he left Derek to get back to work and went to peruse the stacks for something new.Of course there wasn’t that much new, so he expanded his search into mystery and found some great titles.Once he was done, he brought his books to the counter and checked them out.
“Are you up for dinner tomorrow?”
Harm nodded.Then he reached for one of the pieces of paper.“Joe and Larry are coming for a visit in a few weeks.They’re flying in on a Friday and staying for five days.”He was really excited to see them.Joe had said that they had reservations at a hotel in town and that they didn’t expect to stay with him.Which was a good thing, because his apartment was too small for guests.
“That’s really great.”
“I was hoping you could join us for dinner one night.Joe is a great cook, and he’ll insist on making something special.”
“I’d love to come.Just text me and let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.”He helped get the books checked out.“Take care of yourself.I’ll see you in class on Tuesday.”Harm was looking forward to it, the same way he looked forward to everything as far as Derek was concerned.
HARM HOPEDhe was dressed properly for his first class.He made sure to arrive early and spent some time checking over the bookshelves before going up the community room.It was dark, so he turned on the lights and went inside.The tables and chairs were all arranged, and he took a place in the center near the front.He really hoped this class worked out for Derek.It would be a shame if the board decided they didn’t want to continue it.
“Hi, Harm,” Derek said as he came in a little while later, setting a stack of softbound materials on the desk.“Eight other people signed up.I suppose that’s pretty good.”He was all smiles and greeted the others as they came in, both orally and in sign language.He also had name tags at the ready.
“Our daughter is a year old, and she lost what hearing she might have had, so my wife and I want to be able to communicate with her.”The young couple sat next to Harm.“Why are you here?”the man asked.
“Reggie, maybe he can’t hear you,” his wife scolded as she took her seat.“Don’t assume anything.”
Harm shook his head and then turned to Derek.
“This is Harm.He’s learning sign language because he isn’t able to speak.He can hear just fine.”They shared a smile as more people arrived.
Belle came in, and after Derek greeted her, they talked through sign for a few minutes.Then she sat down on the other side of Harm and shared a smile with him.At least there was someone here he knew other than Derek.A few others joined them, and soon there were ten and it was time for the class to start.Derek handed out the materials and then began the class.
OTHER THANBelle, no one in the class was deaf, and Harm was the only person unable to speak.He supposed that made teaching easier for Derek, who knew his material and taught it well.Derek asked Belle if she would come up, and together they demonstrated each of the concepts and then had them all up and converse with each other.Their conversations were simple, but as the hour went by, they got a little more complex.
“It will take a while for you to sign without thinking about it,” Derek said, signing the whole time.“This is another language, one that has its own rules and grammar.It’s not just signed English.Though that is also a type of signing.We are teaching ASL, American Sign Language.”Toward the end of the class, Derek went over all the things they had learned, and then they were all free to talk and get to know each other.“There is only one rule.Sign everything possible.If you don’t know, then you can ask me.”
Belle put up her hand, signing that she would be glad to help anyone as well.Harm turned to Belle and began a conversation about work.She spoke pretty well and was able to get her ideas across, helping him make sure the signs were right.Soon others joined them, and then they were all signing to each other.It was amazing to be able to start to get his ideas across to others.Not that he knew very much at all, but this was going to help him.
“The library will be closing in about ten minutes,” Derek said, and Harm wondered where the time had gone.
Everyone said good night to each other by signing.They even shared hugs before heading out.
“Did you enjoy it?”
Harm signed “Yes” and grinned.“Thank you for doing this,” he added before grabbing his bag and slinging the strap over his shoulder.
“See you tomorrow for dinner?”Derek said.
Harm answered again using signs before leaving the room and the library with a spring in his step that hadn’t been there since he was injured… and it was all because of Derek.
HARM HADa long workday, because he’d slept restlessly the night before, tossing and turning as he thought about Derek.There was something about him that kept him up at night, and that was saying a lot.Harm had learned to sleep on a concrete floor in the desert and on a moving plane that rocked and bumped for hours.He could usually fall asleep in a matter of seconds because that was the way things were in the service.You slept when you could, because there were days when sleep was not going to happen for anyone.
Harm had checked himself in the mirror, making sure he looked his best.He’d gone to TJ Maxx and found a pair of pants that fit him, as well as a new shirt.They were both nice, and it had been a miracle that he was able to find anything in his size.That was how it usually worked.While others got choices, he often had to make do with whatever was available.But not this shopping trip.There had been plenty to choose from.He hoped he had made a good choice.Fashion was definitely not his forte.Still, he thought he looked pretty good in black pants that weren’t too tight, and a light blue shirt with a penguin on it.
Once he was ready, he slipped into his shoes and grabbed his coat.It was really cold out, so he went with full winter gear before leaving the apartment and going down to his truck.A group of young men seemed to have gathered in the parking lot behind the building.They were quiet, looking around, while one of them approached a BMW.Harm cleared his throat and then hit his key fob, making his truck chirp, and the guys jumped.Almost as a unit, they took one look at him.Harm scowled and glared at them, and within two seconds, the group took to their heels and were gone.He smiled to himself and went to his truck, unlocking the door and getting in.
The ride to the Italian restaurant on the west side of town took less than five minutes.He parked and went inside, finding that Derek was already there, sitting at a table in the side dining room, smiling as he approached.
“I was really pleased how the class went and that there were a few more people than I expected,” Derek said as Harm sat down.“I hope more people show up next week.”
“There might be some more people from work.Belle was really talking it up the other day.So who knows,” he wrote, hopeful this could be a success.As a backup, Harm had looked into other classes and found one in Shippensburg and one in Harrisburg, but the one was geared around medical work, so he didn’t think that was going to be appropriate for him.And to top it off, he wanted this to be a success for Derek.
