Chapter 1

"Steffi," Dallas Collins told his longtime friend. "I think it's time."

"Time for what?" she signed to him.

"It is a new year, lady, which means time for you to seek some new adventures."

Steffi shook her head. "Things had been the same for me since I was three years old. Why bother changing now?"

"That's just it," Dallas replied. "Not only do you need to expand your world a little more, but also I'd like to take you somewhere tonight to get you started out of this shell you'd been in for several years."

Steffi looked a little nervous. "Where are we going?" she signed.

"We, my dear, are going to a wrestling match tonight. I know how much you enjoy them on TV, and I thought experiencing one live would be good for both of us. I've been to several shows, but I'd like to take you to this one to enjoy it with me."

"I don't hear well," Steffi protested. "I might not be able to enjoy it."

"They have accomodations for hearing impaired," Dallas smiled at her. "I don't want to hear any more protests. I've made all the arrangments and you are going with me. You might meet some other new people too. Steffi, you've been closed up too long; your folks are gone and all you really have are your work and the few people you've known for years. You can't spend your life shutting yourself out because of your hearing problem. I don't want you as an old woman regretting the things you never got to do because you limited yourself."

"Meet people?" Steffi signed. "Oh God."

"I'm sure you are not the only person with a hearing issue the world has encountered." Dallas gave her a teasing smile. "Who knows, you might even find yourself a nice boyfriend when you get out more."

Steffi gave him a playful punch in the arm. "Very funny. Okay, I will go. How bad can it be?"

Dallas gave her an approving nod. "Now that's my girl."