Page 44 of Silent Hero
“Merry Christmas,” he told her as Derek got him her second gift.She carried both of them back to where her mom waited for her.Then he continued handing out the last of the gifts to the kids.
By the time he got to the adults, Harm had his feelings under control, and it was much easier.They got their presents and sat back down.Finally Harm’s job was done, and he got up and waved goodbye.A chorus of goodbye’s came up from the group, and he went back the way he’d come, closing the door before pulling off parts of the costume.He’d been sweating but managed to get out of the suit and hang it up.Then he pulled on his pants but left his shirt off just to help his skin cool.
“You did great, especially with that little girl.I spoke to her mother.Emily was born deaf, and you made her year by signing to her.”Derek hugged him and then backed away.“You’re all sweaty.”Harm shrugged.In that suit, it was inevitable.“Finish getting dressed and you can have something to eat, and later tonight we’ll see what we can do to get you all sweaty again.”
Harm sat down to put his shoes back on.“I’m glad we could help,” he signed and then pulled on his shirt.“Sometimes I still wonder if I’m good enough.You know?It’s like I lost part of myself when I couldn’t talk.”Harm tried to find the words.
“Bullshit,” Derek told him.“You didn’t lose anything except the ability to speak.You were a hero then and you’re still one now.”Harm rolled his eyes, but Derek only stared back at him.“You’re a silent hero, and if you need proof, just look at that little girl.And besides, being able to talk is only a measure of how much we can jabber on.You, sweetheart, are a man of action, and I’ll take that over anything or anyone.If silence is golden, then you are twenty-four karat all the way.”Derek sat on his lap and kissed him hard.
Epilogue
HARM SETup his table at the book fair the following August, and Derek had never been so proud.The author of the materials they had been using in their signing classes hadn’t been able to attend, so Harm was manning a table for her.He also had literature and resources for those who were communicationally challenged.
Since Christmas, Harm had come out of his shell more and more.That little girl at the Christmas Eve dinner seemed to have had a real effect on him.Once they got back from Arizona, he had thrown himself into the signing class and to helping others with their signing.Belle had been going to teach the beginning class, but her sister had gotten ill and she had gone to stay with her.So Harm was going to lead it, with Derek available to help.Just the idea that he was willing to lead the class was awesome.And now, he was manning a table to help with class signups and just getting out to be with people.
“We’re still missing two authors,” Connie said.“Misty and Geri.”
“Misty called to say she was running late but would be here in a few minutes.And I think Geri just arrived.”The author tables were nearly all set up, and Connie had done an amazing job getting authors and organizing everything.When she heard that a best-selling romantic thriller writer was going to be in the area visiting her daughter, she contacted her and personally invited her to the event.Karen was wonderful, and there had been a lot of interest because of her.
“Okay.”She hurried off to check on the rest of the authors while Derek showed Geri to her table.She got set up just as Misty arrived, and their complement of authors was complete.He checked the time and got ready to open the library for the day.
Connie signaled that she was ready, and Derek unlocked the door, letting in at least fifty people who had been waiting outside.They surged into the library, and he got out of the way.It was gratifying to see Mary among them.
“It looks like we have a great turnout,” Mary said.
“Yes.Connie has done an amazing job with this.The library is full, and it seems that more people will be on the way in.”A steady stream of people came in the door, and he couldn’t help smiling.The room was filled with authors, and it was wonderful to see them interacting with readers to help them find new stories to read.
Mary nodded and remained serious, which confused him.“I’m sorry about the months of delay in giving you the job.I suppose I can tell you now that I was the main holdup.”
Derek checked to make sure he had heard right.“Why?I always thought you were my main supporter on the board.”
“Oh, I was.But I wanted to make sure you were ready for it.You’re still so young, and so many people think that things come to them because they’re next in line.I wanted to know that you had what it took to really do this job and make the library relevant to the community.And you did that.You did more than I expected.You created a community of signers, and you opened the library in a whole new way.I really can’t wait to see what you come up with next.”
He smiled.“Well, I was thinking about putting in a mud pit in the basement under the old building and hosting midnight midget wresting.”He grinned, and Mary snorted at his joke.
“No, seriously,” she mock-scolded.
“I was thinking of something completely different, actually.There are a lot of clubs and service organizations in town.Some of them have been around for nearly a century.So this winter we’re going to have a club expo.Just like this, but where each club would have a table.We’re calling it Get Involved Carlisle.The event will be free for everyone.And I’m going to start a travel series.”
Mary rolled her eyes.“Not one of those things where people show pictures of their vacations.”
“No.It’s a series where people interested in traveling can get together and share information.I’m going to have a night on travel to Africa, Australia, Japan, southeast and central Asia, cruises in the Caribbean, and so on.Take some of the mystery and intimidation out of the process.”
Mary grinned.“Sign me up.I’ve been trying to get David to travel for years.”She patted him on the shoulder and wandered off as Harm hurried over.
He held up a clipboard with a sheet of paper that was filled with names before tucking it under his arm.“The next introductory session is going to be full.We have people coming from all over.”He grinned.“And I sold copies of a number of the books.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“One person asked me to autograph it for them.I felt like a movie star.”He grinned as a kid came over, looking up at him, eyes wide.He must have been four or so.
“Are you a giant?”the little blond-headed boy asked, a bit in awe.“Fee Fi Fo Fum.”Then he held up a book.
“I’m sorry,” a young woman with a stroller said as she hurried up.“I just got him some basic books, and he lovesJack and the Beanstalk.It’s his favorite story.”
Derek wondered how Harm would react, but he smiled and took the book.He slipped the pen off the clip board and signed the front of the book “The Giant” before handing it back.The little boy jumped for joy, and Harm held up his hand.They shared a high five, and then the boy ran to his mother, as happy as anything.
“I don’t know if I like being thought of as the giant,” Harm signed.
“Hey.You changed my life for the better, and you are approaching seven feet tall.But you’re my giant, my gentle giant, and I love you for that and a whole lot more.”
