I sat there staring at the tray of paints in front of me, full of bright reds, greens, and blues, and finally I got up and went to grab the last easel resting in the corner of the studio beside a pile of canvases. The least I could do was try.

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

There was a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes on the table when I trudged downstairs Saturday morning still half asleep. Connor was chowing down on his pancakes and gave a happy wave when I plopped into the chair beside him.

Mom gave a dramatic start when she saw me, a hand at her heart, and signed, YOU AWAKE BEFORE NOON. WOW.

FUNNY, I signed with an eye roll.

COFFEE? KITCHEN, Mom signed back.

She’d put a stack of pancakes and syrup at my spot on the table when I came back from the kitchen with a steaming mug of coffee and my favorite hazelnut creamer.

BUSY DAY TODAY? I asked Mom.

She shook her head, cutting into her own stack of pancakes. CONNOR WANT MOVIE DAY, she signed, nodding toward my little brother, who was still stuffing his face. I TRY WORK FROM HOME. YOU BUSY?

I was nervous to tell her about Nina’s invitation to work on our midterm project for Mr. Wells’ class at her house. Mom and I hadn’t really talked much about me making hearing friends, and I didn’t know if she’d be excited or nervous for me.

BORROW CAR? I signed to Mom in a rush.

Mom looked taken aback by my question and signed, WHY?

FRIEND ASK IF I WORK WITH HER TODAY FOR M-I-D-T-E-R-M, I explained. WE PARTNERS.

A wide smile broke out across Mom’s face as she signed, FRIEND? SAME FRIEND FROM BEFORE?

YES, I signed with a huff. WE HAVE CLASS TOGETHER.

Mom was firing off rapid questions now, like WHO SHE? and NAME? and WHAT SHE LIKE?

N-I-N-A, I told her. YOU MET HER. SHE MY STUDENT MENTOR WHEN I START SCHOOL.

I SEE, Mom signed with the same enthusiastic smile. WONDERFUL. YOU GIVE HER SIGN NAME? Mom asked curiously.

I shook my head, signing, NO. I hadn’t planned on getting close enough to anyone to give them a sign name, but Nina had proved to be a pretty stand-up friend. She could probably do with one.

YOU SHOULD, Mom signed.

I shrugged. MAYBE.

HAPPY YOU MAKE FRIEND, Mom signed, and now a rather interesting expression was taking over her face as she smiled. WHAT ABOUT BOY?

The bite of pancake I’d just taken stuck in my throat, and I nearly choked. I stole Connor’s milk and took a big gulp to wash it down.

DON’T UNDERSTAND, I signed once I could breathe properly again. NO BOY.

Mom’s smile was slowly morphing into a smirk. BOY SIGNED SEE YOU LATER THAT DAY YOU WAIT OUTSIDE FOR ME AFTER SCHOOL ALL DONE.