Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aimee's brother was over for dinner tonight. He had just finished making a fort with the girls in the living room.

"Really. Just imagine if either of our kids were deaf before they could text. Would you find it 'too much' to learn to communicate with them fully, so they could fully express themselves?"

Horatio always told her not to judge people unless she knew their lives. Aimee had been asked by a family with a three-year-old, who recently became deaf from illness, to learn "just the basics" of ASL to communicate with the boy. Cochlear implants were not an option. The parents told her they "didn't have the time or patience to "learn it all." They were clearly embarrassed. Taking every bit of patience she had, Aimee tried to explain that that wasn't how it worked for those who used ASL as their first language. She tried to explain that their child would get frustrated if he couldn't communicate with mommy and daddy.

"Perhaps they haven't come to terms with the news yet," Horatio offered.

"I get that. But sooner rather than later they have to get over that. They have therapy for that. Imagine how the boy feels?"

Horatio admitted that was a heartbreaker and yes, he would become fluent in ASL to communicate with his children. Andy agreed. The parents in question were being selfish. It was clear why Aimee didn't take this job, regardless of the family being well off and paying twice what She would normally earn per hour. She recommended the whole family to a specialized team that included therapists. For the boy's sake she hoped they took the help. Aimee sprinkled bread crumbs on top of the large pan of chicken and broccoli with mac and cheese, putting it in the oven.

Overhearing the conversation and with Hunter in his arms Andy came into the kitchen.

"Do you have to be so nice to people like this? You can't give your unfiltered opinion? You're very good at that," Andy said.

Horatio snickered.

"Unfortunately, that comes across as unprofessional. Believe me, I want to sometimes," Aimee replied.

Aimee had always been judgmental in cases like this. But she had become worse since she became a parent herself.

Andy was single again and asked his brother-in-law for advice. Horatio wasn't sure what to tell him except he was trying so hard. To most, he and Aimee lasting and being where they were was a exception to the rule. Putting aside the biggest thing, the age gap, there was the fact they may not have had sex on the first date but a week didn't go by. Hell, they barely made it off her porch. If the blinds in the living room hadn't been closed already Aimee's neighbors would have had quite a show. A "goodnight kiss but no sex for three months" rule, something Andy had took from a dating advice site wasn't helping his love life either.

That was another way of trying too hard to find 'the one,' Horatio told him. If you want my opinion. Andy Michaels would go from one extreme to the other. Finding 'the one' to 'playing the field'. Horatio and Aimee hadn't met his latest, now former love.


Kyle Harmon-Caine spent most of the evening at the emergency room. Now he felt like a pin cushion. He had bitten by a stray, that turned out to have rabies. Along with having five stitches in his hand he was sure he was shot up with every antibiotic and vaccine they had available. Plus a ten day prescription of another strong antibiotic. Along with that, he picked up extra strength Motrin before he drove home. His parents didn't know anything until he came home earlier than normal. Neither was pleased.

But the 'perpetrator' had been euthanized so it wasn't as if they could do anything, Kyle told them. And this injury was a job hazard. How were they going to cope when he finished school and started his career? Veterinarian technicians got bit a lot.

"It's no big deal, guys, geez!" Kyle said at the kitchen, eating a plate of dinner left in the oven for him. "Are you two always gonna worry like this?"

The answer was yes.