Paint Me a Picture
Chapter Seven
The sun was out and the blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds. The breeze again made the day a pleasant one. Using a cane, Jarrod walked down a small path that led to a small creek that ran through the Mandrel's land. He had gotten to the point that on his good days he only needed to use one cane to walk…on bad ones he had to use two. Ester, Scott and their two nieces and one nephew were with him. Once they arrived at the children's favorite creek, the adults found places to sit while the children ran around and played.
When Michael began talking about his parents, it was all Jarrod could do to keep his composure. He probably wouldn't have had such a hard time, but he'd dreamt of his family the night before. One memory after another ran through his mind. Some had his siblings, some his parents, but all of them held the love and support they'd given each other. Because the memories continued parading through his mind, Jarrod didn't realize Michael was talking to him until the young man asked, "I'm sorry, John, did I say something wrong? You look upset." All eyes turned to him.
Jarrod sighed and looked around and saw a somewhat thick stick lying on the ground within his reach. Pushing his insecurities aside, he leaned over, picked up the stick and started writing. Okay, so he was using a stick and dirt; did that really matter?
Ester's eyes widened, as did Michael and Scott's, as their friend painstakingly began the struggle to write. While he was only able to gets six letters written before the struggle became too great, it was enough. All three of his friends found themselves reading out loud. "Jarrod!"
"So," Scott started chuckling as he slapped his hand down upon Jarrod's shoulder, "Your name is Jarrod, huh? 'bout time you gave it to us!" The man's chuckling turned into laughter as Jarrod, who knew his friend was only hard timing him, began laughing. Naturally, the laughter caught on and earned the adults more than one turned head from the children.
"Well, once you feel like you can get control of that stick or a pencil again, you'll have to tell us your last name as well!" Ester quit laughing and turned serious. She had to. Every day that went by had found her wondering about his family and what they must be going through with him missing the way he had. That concern had only grown once Michael had began teaching Jarrod sign language. With the passing days, and his increasing vocabulary, Jarrod had signed the all the information he possibly could just that morning. Born California. Father dead, Mother alive, one sister, three brothers all alive, along with the sign "more". His friends understood that he remembered everything, but he just didn't have the signs yet. Michael promised to continue to teach him until he had taught him all he, Michael, knew.
Jarrod didn't argue. He still had a strong desire to set the record straight on his profession and tell them his full name. As it was, if Michael knew the sign for attorney, he had not yet taught him to him. Also Jarrod knew, from the extreme struggle he'd just had simply writing his first name, he could not attempt it any more writing at the moment. The rest of the afternoon he spent listening to his friends and watching the children, the whole time thinking on his own family.
0000
The noise inside the Redwood church dropped more than one notch when Scott and his sister walked in with Jarrod and Michael. The ones who had not actually been out to visit the Mandrels had been left to wonder about the things they'd heard. Jarrod did his best to ignore the stares and whispers as he used both of the canes Scott had made for him to follow Ester and Michael up the aisle.
Scott walked behind him just in case Jarrod found himself in more trouble than he'd found himself that morning. Soon they were sitting in the pew the Mandrel's had often claimed before.
Shall we gather at the River…while Ester and Scott sang with their voices, Michael joined in with Jarrod to sign what words they knew. Jarrod had to smile at the young man; knowing he was only signing so he, Jarrod, would not feel so alone. After the meeting was over, the four of them made their way out to the churchyard where they found a small bench for Jarrod to sit down on.
Reverend Hall, a short and somewhat stocky man, walked up with nothing but a smile on his face. "Good to see you both back in church." Up to now, Scott and Ester had taken turns going to church as Jarrod had not been ready to go out in public. "And welcome to our church. It was good to see you here." The man said, still smiling and looking at Jarrod.
"It's good to be here." Jarrod answered; actually, he only signed "Good" and "here". Still, Ester was able to translate what the signs meant and what she was sure he was trying to say. She had confirmation she was correct when Jarrod smiled at her. The Mandrel's and Michael continued talking with the good Reverend, with Jarrod occasionally throwing in some short comment or answer if he could. After the reverend had left, Michael had joined his friends and Scott had joined his gal and her family, leaving Ester and Jarrod were left to themselves.
Jarrod smiled as he signed "Walk with me?" making sure his eyes held a questioning look in them. After all, he didn't want her to think he was trying to order him around.
"I'd be happy to." Ester answered as she helped him up. Scott and his gal, Maria, watched as the two walked away from the church and start on a small path that many of the residents of Redwood would use when they wanted some quiet time.
"She's taken a liking to Jarrod." The quiet spoken, blond haired Maria said. "I hope she is not setting herself up for heartache. I mean, he has a family somewhere. What happens when he has to leave; it's not like he's even hinted that he wants would like anything more than a friendship, and I see the look she has in her eyes."
Scott shrugged his shoulders. "My sister is of age and knows the dangers of letting herself get too close to someone who has no interest in anything but a friendship. Still, I guess it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on things. Would you like to go on a walk with me?" He smiled and winked at her.
Maria smiled and took a hold of Scott's arm. She knew full he was really asking if she'd like to play chaperone with him.
