Chapter 37: Life Goes On

Jaime, Miss Thompson, and the Cast

“JAIME, SARAH, AND LYNN will be sign language interpreters for our production of Blithe Spirit,” Miss Thompson said. The bright and energetic young director was only a year out of college and was directing her first student production. “Since I expect them to be an integral part of the production, I’ve asked them to audition with you. So, when you are called to read, one of the interpreters will be called upon to sign for you.”

“Wild,” Tony Lamonte said. “So, are they deaf?”

“No,” Miss Thompson said. “They have to be able to hear you in order to interpret. However, they won’t be saying anything. Right?” she asked the three interpreters. As one they raised their right hands and nodded a fist, then looked at each other and laughed silently.

Sarah and Lynn were in the advanced ASL class with Jaime, so they knew he never said anything and they agreed they’d simply adopt the same persona in the theatre.

“Let’s get started,” Miss Thompson said. “Grab a script and turn to page one. Liselle, read Edith. Maura, read Ruth, and Tony read Charles. Interpreters, there is a music stand for each of you with a script on it, but I hope that after a read-through, you’ll be able to focus more on the actors and interpret from them instead of the book. Ready? Doria,” she said turning to her student assistant, “Read the stage directions for them. And go.”

“The scene is the living room of the Condomines’ house in Kent,” Doris began. The actors started pacing out the scene on stage. The interpreters quickly agreed on which actor each was interpreting and the audition was underway.

It was a little confusing at first. One of the actors stumbled a lot and Sarah finished interpreting her lines significantly ahead of her actually getting them out. Miss Thompson had them run the scene again. It smoothed out significantly. The third time, the interpreters left their music stands and followed the actors around, signing over their shoulders. The actors didn’t notice since they were still focused on the book.

Miss Thompson called three more actors to read the lines. It soon became obvious that Jaime, Sarah, and Lynn would know and possibly memorize the entire play before the production night. But they might also have more fun than any of the other actors, no matter who was chosen for which part.

«I can’t believe how much fun being in this show will be, » Jaime said when he was home making dinner and could connect with Keira. «When I’ve seen sign language interpreters at theatrical performances, they have always been off to one side where all the deaf people were seated. They follow the script and just sign for that small section of the audience. Miss Thompson plans to have us actually on the stage and following the actors around. The girls will have a time of it. There’s only one guy in the show. Each girl will need to sign for three characters, and not always the same ones.»

«It sounds complicated, » Keira said. «Will I ever see you?»

«Yes. Rehearsals are scheduled Monday through Thursday right after school until the last week when we go every day, including the weekends for dress rehearsal and technical rehearsals. That’s the first time anyone will actually see the set, » Jaime said.

He finished chopping a pepper and tossed it in the skillet with the onion. He was making a basic stir fry and was timing it with David’s expected arrival at home.

«I talked to Trayce after school, » Keira said. «On the phone. We had a little mental hug at the end, but she’s still pretty confused. She’s going to see Aunt Rose Thursday. If that goes well, she said she’d be interested in a date this weekend. We still haven’t decided what, though.»

«There must be something we could do together. A gallery or museum? There’s a rock climbing gym. There’s even a place where we could do axe throwing, » Jaime said.

«Wow! Rock climbing and axe throwing are a lot more active than we have been on our dates.»

«I was thinking we should do something that required us to move instead of all sitting in one place holding hands and trying to communicate slowly or not at all.»

«True that. Bowling. Basketball game. Trail Blazers are playing basketball this weekend, » Keira said.

«Isn’t there a basketball game at school Friday?» Jaime asked.

«I doubt she’d want to go to one of our school’s games, but I’ll see who we’re playing.»

«Dad’s home. I need to start stirring.»

«Talk to you later, love.»

Trayce and Rose

“You had quite an ordeal, Trayce. How are you doing?” Rose asked when the teen visited her Thursday evening.

“Yeah. Well, I’m pulling things together a little. It’s slow going. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, you know. Just in case Dr. Schwartz and his hoods come for me again.”

“I can understand how you’d feel that way. Are you doing anything extra to protect yourself?” Rose asked.

“Yeah. I’m staying in groups when I’m out, like leaving school and all. I look around a lot. Classes at the community college start next week. The bus stops right in front of my class building, so I won’t have far to run to get inside. I’m thinking of taking a self-defense class.”

“Okay. Those are all good measures. It’s important, though, not to let the fear rule you. You need as normal a life as possible. Schwartz wants you afraid. As firmly as he was put down last week, I doubt he’ll make another play. And Angus is keeping an eye on him.”

“That’s good to know. I ... um ... think I’ll go out with Jaime and Keira tomorrow night. It’s just to a school basketball game and then burgers, but ... I feel safe when I’m with them.”

“You had quite an experience.”

“I still don’t understand it. I can’t hear anyone else in my head. Like I can’t hear you and you’re right in front of me.”

“Don’t count that as a standard. I’ve learned over many years to block being read. Is that what you want?”

“Um ... No. I don’t think so. I mean, linking up with Jaime and Keira is really ... oh, wow! It’s so overwhelming, though, that I’m trying to go slow. And I’m still afraid Dr. Schwartz left post-hypnotic suggestions in my head that will hurt them. Can you, like, remove them?” Trayce asked.

“I can help you remove them, if there are any. The combination of drugs and hypnotism he used leaves you in a vulnerable state. But now that you are out from under the direct influence, you have the power to fight those impulses. It is when you take control and deny their power that you will truly be free. It’s not something I can do for you.”

“Yeah. I think when the three of us are together, I can do that—or Jaime can. He pulls me out of the trance real quick. I guess what I’m thinking about now is when we become intimate. I mean ... just when we kissed, it felt like the whole world opened up to us. I could see and feel everything they could. It was so intense.”

“And that’s when you feel most vulnerable?”

“Yes. But also most powerful. With Jaime and Keira guiding me, I know I can fight off his suggestions unless we get so involved in each other that at least one of us isn’t being watchful. And it’s really easy to get that involved in each other. There’s just so much to look at and share.”

“You’re excited about it.”

“I guess I am,” Trayce laughed. “I’m just ... Even though the three of us have been linking together for a couple of months, Friday was the first time I’d ever physically been in the same room with them. And, like, they’re lovers who have been together all this time and I feel like I need to catch up with them, but I’m not sure I want to go that fast. That’s why we’re going on a normal high school date this weekend. So, I can get to know them in real time before I just crawl into bed with them.”

“I’m glad you’re taking it slow,” Rose said. “And I know Jaime and Keira will respect that. I think they reached that point sooner than they wanted to. I don’t think any of you will feel pressured to go more quickly.”

“Yeah. I think ... That’s one of the reasons I think I’m in love with them. They always respect me and don’t try to rush me. Which makes me want to hurry up and get there, you know?”

“A real conundrum,” Rose agreed. “How about if we meet again next week and you can tell me about how your date went and how your class at the college progresses?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Jaime and Keira and Emerson

Jaime and Keira were at their usual table for lunch on Friday when Emerson caught up with them.

“Hey, guys. Can I join you?”

“Hey, Em. Of course you can. You’re always welcome,” Keira said. “How’s your week going? It seems like forever since we got to talk.”

“Oh, Jaime and I meet every day in class to work on our projects,” Emerson laughed. “But we don’t discuss anything ... important.”

“Is there something you’d like to discuss now?” Jaime signed. Keira started to translate, but Emerson waved her off.

“I got it,” she said.

Jaime reached in his bag for the ear bud and his computer, but she waved that off as well.

She bowed her head, staring at the unidentified mass on her plate as though she could turn it into a steak and potatoes just by the fierceness of her gaze. Then she darted out and caught Jaime’s and Keira’s hands in hers. «Tell me it’s real—this talking in people’s heads, » she thought to them.