Page 124 of Fifty First Times (Sharing You 0.40)

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We would actually be right under one of those

WATCH FOR DEAF CHILDREN signs,

coincidentally,

except if people had known that this was

what they’d be watching Deaf children do

they might have asked for the signs to be

reconsidered

The lights are off

our eyes are closed

we don’t need

watching

My hand crawls underneath her shirt

traces ribs.

This is our last night, because tomorrow

she leaves for school;

she’s going to Gallaudet, Deaf heaven in the big city.

I didn’t get in.

I have community college

an interpreter

people who will think there’s something wrong with me.

Stephanie’s tightening grip on my wrist tells me

that she thinks there is something wrong with me

after all and that thing is that

I am going too slowly

Her fingernails dig into my palm.

This is my sign.

Stephanie is breathing hard, heart against mine

beating so strongly we’re shaking

or maybe that’s me

I’ve told her more than I’ve ever told anyone

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