There are four things I've know for about a year now.
Sarah Lennox is a lovely woman and the nicest person I've ever met.
Annabelle Lennox is the cutest and sweetest girl I've ever met.
William Lennox is a soldier overseas so I haven't met him.
The fact that the Lennox family is so welcoming of my disability is such a relief they are like a second family to me.
I suppose it would probably be better to explain a bit of what that means. Let's start with the last one. When I was younger a big dog attacked me and my brother he ended up running away, but I was not so lucky. The dog ended up damaging my vocal cords to the point I can barely whisper. Sometimes I can make noises like grunts or clicking noises to get people's attention, but usually I use this device my father got for me.
It's a computer that talks for me, so basically I type all the words out and it will say it. This comes in handy when I babysit Annabelle because despite how smart she is, she still doesn't know sign language too well.
How I started to babysit Annabelle is a funny story I'll admit. I was walking around the mall when this little girl plowed into me tears streaming down her face. I picked her up and got her an ice cream before finding Sarah who was in an absolute panic.
Sarah being the Angel she is offered me dinner, and from then on I would come over to babysit Annabelle. I was surprised at how accepting the Lennox's were, but when I asked, Sarah simply said, "They've met stranger people."
Right this second I am heading to the Lennox's house to babysit Annabelle. Well I say that but Sarah will be there so it's more like a playdate. Now I feel weird I'm 19 and going to a playdate, but I decide to not dwell on it. I decided to wear some old sweat pants and tennis shoes from my tennis days. My red hair is tied into a ponytail, and my glasses cover my green eyes.
I park my car by the street before skipping up the steps. I notice a big truck parked nearby, and narrow my eyes in confusion. I know Sarah for sure doesn't own a truck like that so who's here right now?
I decide to ask her myself and knock on the door three times. It isn't long before I hear stomping footsteps and see the door swing open.
"Sophia!" Annabelle squeals before tackle hugging my waist.
I smile and make a clicking noise in response. Annabelle giggles before grabbing my hand and sitting me down on the couch.
"What are we gonna learn today, Soph?" She asks me curiously.
I smile before very slowly signing, "No lesson, play games."
Annabelle looks intrigued, "What games?"
I smile deviously before getting out my wii. Annabelle looks absolutely delighted, and looks through the games. We decide on the basic Mario Kart route before sitting down and playing.
As we sit there I can faintly hear voices from upstairs, one is Sarah's, but the other one I don't recognize. I pause the game before pointing upstairs. Annabelle seems to get it, and grins so happily you would think she'd burst.
"Daddy's home!" She giggles.
I pause at this, "Your dad?"
Annabelle nods excitedly, "Yeah! He came home this morning and surprised me and mommy!"
I type into my device, "Should I go? I want you and your mom to spend time with him."
Annabelle shakes her head, "Nope! Daddy wants to meet you! He's just talking to mommy for a bit."
I nod slowly feeling worry etch into my mind, "Do you think he'll like me?"
Annabelle giggles like it's the funniest joke she's heard, "Of course he will!"
I smile softly before ruffling her hair, "Thanks."
Annabelle grins before getting a thoughtful look on her face. She turns to me and grabs my hand saying she wants to show me someone.
She takes me outside to the massive truck, and stands beside it like she's the owner.
"This is Ironhide! He's daddy's friend they fight together in battle!" She exclaims.
I smile softly before signing, "Iron"
Annabelle gets a confused look on her face before I tell her what it means. Annabelle lights up before repeating the sign like a mantra.
"Looks Ironhide! I can say your name in sign language now too!" She exclaims happily.
"Annabelle!"
I turn to see Sarah standing on the porch with a man standing beside her. Sarah spots me and smiles warmly waving me over. I walk over Annabelle running ahead of me, and hug Sarah saying hello.
"Hi you must be Sophia," Mr. Lennox says.
I nod and shake his hand. They are calloused and rough from nature and the many battles he's faced. He's sturdy and tall while also holding a welcoming aura. We walk inside and sit at the table to talk.
"So I heard you've been watching over my Annabelle this past year?" He asks.
I nod softly before typing, "Yes sir it'll be two years in April."
He nods thoughtfully, "You've been taking care of my baby girl correct?"
Sarah hit's him, "Will!"
A grunting noise comes out as I can't help my laugh. I nod my head and type, "I'd sacrifice myself before I let anything happen to her."
Will stares at me surprised for a moment before huffing out a laugh, "No need to put yourself in unnecessary danger but thank you Sophia."
I smile and nod, "Of course Mr. Lennox."
He shakes his head, "Call me Will. So do you always use that machine to talk?"
Annabelle responds for me, "Nope! She can sign too! Sophia's been teaching me!"
Will looks surprised, "Really?"
Annabelle nods enthusiastically, "Yeah! I even know how to side Ironhide's name now!"
Will gets a strange look on his face before smiling, "That's great sweetie."
I end up spending the entire night there with the Lennox family playing video games having dinner and talking. Sarah insists that I spend the night since it's so late, and with Annabelle also giving me her puppy dog eyes it's impossible to say no.
"Are you sure you want to sleep on the couch sweetie?" Sarah asks.
I nod and sign "Thank you," before laying down in the dark.
In the end my insomnia comes running after me, so I decide to get some fresh air. I notice the truck is still there, and decide to walk towards it. Annabelle says she talks to it a lot, but I've never really understood it. I decide to sit in front of it. Even if it can't hear me I start signing to it.
"Hello there."
"I know you don't know me, but Annabelle is very close to you so I wanted to introduce myself."
"My name is Sophia I'm 19, and I'm Annabelle's babysitter."
"I also have insomnia which is why I'm still awake, but honestly I don't mind it since the stars are so pretty right now."
I sigh, "I guess it's hard to sleep sometimes since I get so lonely?"
"The only people I really talk to is Sarah and Annabelle since no one has the time to talk to me."
"And don't get me wrong I love my family, but they just don't understand I guess?"
I pull my knees up to my chest, and breathe. These are the times I get sad, it never really stays but at random points in the night I feel so alone? It sounds silly since I know I'm not, but sometimes it gets hard.
I look up to the truck, "Do you mind if I stay here with you? You have some sort of presence, and it kinda feels like I'm not completely aloneā¦"
I lay on my back and look at the stars. Sarah lives further away from the city, which makes it easy to see the stars like this. I look for constellations in the sky doing my best to tire myself out. When I check the time I see it's 4:47 am, and decide there's no use in trying to sleep. Instead I decide to take a walk down the street.
I have no idea where I'm walking, but right now I just feel like I should go on a walk. I twirl down the street, and take big breaths. There's a nice chill that blows on my face, and I barely notice the sound of footsteps. I turn around to see a man jogging down the street. He pauses and stops next to me.
"What are you doing?" He asks gruffly.
This older gent looks like he just got back from a war battle. He's tall and muscular sporting stubble and bright blue eyes that seem to glow in the moonlight. I nervously start signing apologies before realizing he has no idea what I'm saying.
"Wait why are you apologizing?"
I stop and look to him, "You know sign language?"
He nods, "Sure do, but I'd still like that explanation."
I feel my cheeks burn, "I just couldn't sleep so I decided to go on a walk."
He replies, "You shouldn't walk by yourself this late it could be dangerous."
I bow my head down before apologizing, "Yes sir I'll head home now thank you."
I turn to walk home when he catches my shoulder, "You don't need to look so sad all this time. There are people who love you here I bet. If your feeling down talk to them."
I blink in surprise, "Oh uhm thank you sir, I really appreciate it."
He nods at this before running off. I smile and shake my head before heading back to the Lennox household. For the rest of the night I sit on the porch listening to music and watching the sun slowly rise.
"Sophia? Why are you awake at this hour?"
I turn to see Mr. Lennox blinking at me in surprise.
"I wanted to watch the sunrise I suppose," you tell him.
He huffs out a laugh, "Well I wish I was doing this for the same reason, but my boss wants me to check in at a post nearby. I decided I'd go earlier, so I could spend more time with my girls."
I smile at that, "I'll hold the fort down while your gone."
Will laughs at this, and pats me on the back, "Your a good kid Sophia, thank you for everything."
I smile and shake my head, "I should be thanking your family, they have offered nothing but kindness to me since I first showed up."
Will smiled, "Yeah those girls seem find the good in everything."
I smile at that before waving goodbye. Will promises he'll be back soon, so I decide to wait with the girls until he does so. Once Sarah wakes up she makes pancakes and the smell alone wakes Annabelle up in a start.
You eat breakfast with the two Lennox girls not knowing the danger that awaits outside, and how soon it plans on striking.
