Meeting My New Co-Workers:

I walked up the stairs to the firehouse with Mikita by my side. Shane, Dewey & Joe were in the kitchen; Pip was hitting the punching bag; Lionel & Terrance were watching a football game; and Captain Connor Fahey was in his office. As I stand just out of sight of my new co-workers, Mikita decides to do a little investigating herself. Her leash slips out of my hand & she jumps up the last few steps. Pip's first reaction is a scream. The rest of the team is standing around, five feet from where Mikita is sitting, looking back at me. I finally join her.

Bending down, I take her leash in my hand, then stand up, holding a hand up as if I'm waving. Everyone is looking at me. Captain Fahey starts to talk to me. I watch his lips as he speaks.

"Hi, I'm Captain Connor Fahey. You must be our new transfer."

"Yes, I'm a…I'm Michaelle Shahlavi. And this is Mikita. It is nice to meet you."

"You do know she can't stay here right?" Captain Fahey asked.

"If she goes, I go. If you haven't noticed, she's a service animal."

"Why do you need her?"

"Long story short, my ex-boyfriend tried to kill me when I was fourteen. I haven't been able to hear since. Any more questions you have for me?"

"None at the moment. Welcome to the team."

"Can you read lips?" Joe asked.

"What do you think I've been doing this whole time? Making my answers up as I go?"

"You're a funny one." Pip said.

"Thank you."