Chapter 2
"Dallas," Brian said, shaking his hand. "Good to see you again. It's been way too long, you old dog."
"No argument there," Dallas nodded. "It isn't like you get around to these parts very much these days."
"Well, I don't exactly decide the schedule. Anyway, what's this about bringing someone along tonight?"
"Just a longtime friend that doesn't really get out much. Steffi's idea of a day out is a shopping trip to Wal-Mart once a month. Shes….shy, which would be kind of the best description."
"In that case, I may scare the girl," Brian said, laughing.
"Not in the least," Dallas shook his head, "at least once she knows the real you."
Meanwhile:
Steffi stared into her closet for the longest time, wondering what to wear that night. Dallas had said she didn't need to 'dress up' for this kind of thing, but nevertheless she didn't want to embarrass him in front of his friends by showing up in something that would be totally out of place.
She finally settled on her nicest jeans and a pink and orange sweater that was one of her favorites but didn't get to wear it very often. Digging in a drawer, Steffi also found a matching pink scrunchie and socks, putting them with the outfit before checking the batteries in her hearing aids. They too were fine, even though Steffi wasn't sure what good they would do at a place where Dallas would be taking her.
Grabbing up a towel, Steffi then went into the shower and then put on some simple, light makeup and pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail, adding the pink scrunchie. Noticing the time, she then dressed and gathered up her purse and shoes. Dallas would be arriving soon, and she didn't want to keep him waiting.
That evening:
"That was a good show," Steffi signed to Dallas.
"I told you you would enjoy yourself," he replied. "See what kind of things you miss when you shut yourself off from the world?"
She nodded. "I guess so. But where are we going now?"
"I'd like you to meet some friends of mine," Dallas answered, "particularly an old one I don't get to see very often."
"Oh really, Dallas, I shouldn't—" she began.
"Come on, Stef, nobody's going to bite, at least not yet anyway. It's just a couple of people. Honey, you're not the only one in the world with a limitation. You need to come out of your shell."
Steffi sighed. "Okay. I guess one or two people wouldn't hurt."
"Good, I was hoping you would say that."
"There's another thing."
"What?"
"I'd like to see you do less signing and more speaking. You've been picking that up very well and what better time to use it than the present?"
"But I don't talk right like other people," Steffi protested.
"Of course you may not be as clear as other people. A person with a hearing capacity of only thirty percent can't be expected to do so. It doesn't mean you shouldn't use it more. Come on, work with me here. Besides, not everyone knows sign language."
"All right." Steffi sighed again. Why was he suddenly making her do all these things?
Dallas then grinned, spotting Brian going away from a group of people. "Hey, Bri!" he called.
"Hey, you old dog, there you are! About time your happy ass showed up."
"Well, I figured you'd be busy with your array of admirers so we hung out somewhere else for a few."
Brian then spotted Steffi. "Are you holding out on me, Collins? I didn't know you had a lady in your life."
Dallas laughed. "Where are my manners? Actually, this is a very good friend of mine, Steffi Devlin."
Brian and Steffi exchanged hellos, Steffi nodding a little and smiling.
"Quiet one, isn't she?"
Dallas smiled. "This is all new to the lady. Be nice."
"No problem here, big man. Did you two have dinner yet?"
"Actually, we were on our way to find a place when I spotted you."
"Perfect timing. I'm buying. You and I have some serious catching up to do and I can get to know your lovely friend here as well."
Dallas laughed. "Now how can I pass up a free dinner. You pick and we're there."
Steffi looked at both of them, totally lost. Dallas reassured her that it was perfectly fine. "He's not as scary as he looks, Stef, trust me," he added.
She bit her lip agreeing to go along, wondering what this crazy new world had in store for her.
