Silent Heartbeats 8: Roses in the Moonlight
By Maureen
Disclaimer: if you don't know this schpiel by heart...well, tough. You should.
Jamie sat nervously in the captains' chair in the middle of the doctor's office. The doctor was fiddling about, looking in his ears and using some odd-looking equipment, putting tiny alien eggs in my brain Jamie thought.
Finally he fitted the hearing aids back onto Jamie's ears, his adjustments finished. He was gradually turning the amplification up getting Jamie used to hearing again after so long. He still would not hear human voices, he most likely never would with the current technology, but he would be able to hear some.
The doctor handed Jamie a set of headphones, which he obediently fitted over his ears. Raising his hand when he heard the noises, he marveled as he heard more than the last time. Finally the doctor pronounced them done, and before he could say anything more Jamie was already gone. He had a dance with his girl.
***
Catie nervously fiddled with her hair in front of the dresser mirror. Since she was one of two Roth girls going to the dance, she was forced to get ready in the bedroom instead of the bathroom. Her older sister, Rebecca had already claimed the bathroom.
Up or down was the question of the moment. She didn't have the money to get her hair professionally done like she had hoped and still buy the dress. The dress won. "Caitlin, stop fussing, I'll do your hair!" Catie's mom cried, walking past the bedroom and seeing her daughter still indecisive. She worked as a hairdresser for a living and hated having to do her families hair but recognized she rarely had much choice. Money was tight and getting tighter as the kids became older and older.
"Thanks, mom," she replied, following her mom down the hallway to her parents bedroom. In one corner was her father's desk and computer, peripherals and notes for partially coded software were littered about it. He was a computer programmer and frequently brought his work home.
In the opposite corner was her mom's hair equipment. A large table with an even larger mirror in front of it. Hairspray, rubber bands and curling irons besieged the table, which Catie thought was brown wood but was not sure. She sat down in the chair in front of the table and her mother began to expertly comb through her daughters thick, dark hair. "I have the perfect idea," she said to Catie, pulling her hair up with bobby pins. She separated several of the shorter locks in front of Catie's face and several of the longer ones, leaving them to hang. Thirty minutes later she had transformed her daughter into a princess.
"Oh, wow, Mom, thanks!" Catie cried, throwing her arms around her mother's neck.
"De nada nina," her mom replied in her native tongue, Spanish. While they were not fluent in the language, all the Roth kids in middle or high school took it for their language.
Catie hurried out of the room to finish getting dressed.
***
Jamie for his part was having a much less stressful time getting ready for the dance. Shave, spike hair, don tux, money in wallet, and keys to Alex's car, he was good to go.
*Ready?* Alex asked, handing him several condoms.
*Yeah,* Jamie replied, taking the proffered packages. "Um, Alex?" he held them awkwardly as if he was not sure if they would attack him or not.
*Just in case. You know what I'd prefer, but I also know you're a teenager and I'd rather you be safe than sorry.*
*Thanks.* Jamie placed one inside his wallet and left the others in the bedside drawer. Alex was taking Jamie's bike and spending the night at his sister's house, allowing Jamie and Catie some alone time after the dance. He had already laid down the ground rules though, no parties, no other people over and he was coming back at 10am the next day so she should be home by then as well.
***
Checking his appearance once more in the mirror, he thundered down the stairs where Alex was waiting on Jamie's bike. He was going to follow Jamie to Catie's house so they could take pictures before leaving.
Jamie rang the doorbell nervously, hoping he looked all right. Alex was lurking behind him slightly out of sight as any nervous parent might before their child left for first big dance whilst in high school. Mrs. Roth opened the door, ushering both Jamie and Alex in. The trio stood there awkwardly, not quite knowing how to behave. After a few seconds Mrs. Roth turned towards the stairs and called up for Catie. While her back was turned Alex elbowed his ward in the ribs and jerked his head towards her. A blatant 'you have manners' gesture.
"Ma'am, I'm Jamie Waite," Jamie said carefully. More and more frequently had he been admonished to watch how loud he spoke. He held out his hand, "Pleased to meet you."
"Graciela Roth," she replied, shaking his hand. Although she had never met her daughters' best friend and now boyfriend she had heard about him as she discussed him on the phone with her friend Val. Nothing was private in the Roth household. She had wondered how this dance idea would work since he was deaf, but was willing to give anything a shot once.
"I'm Dr. Alex Freeman," Alex said, introducing himself. "Jamie lives with me."
Before anyone could continue with the pleasantries, Catie descended the stairs, her purple dress capturing everything perfectly. Her hair was rolled into a simple French twist, but like most things with Catie, nothing was truly simple. Tiny strands of silver were threaded into the tiny braids at the crown of her hair before being pulled into the twist. Several strands of hair were loose, curly seductively around her face. She had a purple and black choker on, accenting her neck and carried a silver purse. On later inspection Jamie noticed tiny black and silver roses were entwined down the length of the twist in subtle elegance.
When she reached the ground floor, Jamie handed her the bouquet of white roses he had bought on the way to her house, in the middle of the bouquet was a black, silk rose, something to remember the night by forever that would not fade or wilt. She accepted them with a smile, *thank you.*
Alex took nearly a roll of pictures of the couple, beaming like a proud parent. It was ironic, Jamie thought, nearly six months ago he wanted to get rid of me faster than lice, now he's proud of me.
Just as they were finishing their photos, Rebecca's date arrived, a boy Jamie vaguely recognized from the Kingsport high football team and Mrs. Roth made the new couple begin the pictures giving Jamie and Catie a chance to escape. They had decided to forgo dinner and head straight for the dance.
***
The gym pulsated with music. In the center was the dance floor where it seemed as if the entire school was trying to move in a mass orgy to the music without actually touching anyone else. Jamie and Catie headed towards the wooden bleachers where Val was sitting.
Val waved when she spotted Val and Jamie, flagging them over. Jamie waved and sat down with Catie between him and Val. He watched the people, determined to have a good time at the dance. Catie tapped his arm and pointed at the snack table, Hank and Tyler were talking with Heather and her date, a nameless senior who posed for magazines. They were perfect for each other and Jamie laughed as Hank rolled his eyes heavenward.
*Jamie, dance?* Catie asked once a slow song came on. He really didn't want to but knew he should.
"Sure," he replied, nodding. They stood up and Jamie led her to the dance floor. She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him, his arms around her waist. Then, to Jamie's surprise, she began to lead them, subtly so no one would realize it.
He followed her around, as they swayed to the music. "I love you," Jamie said softly once the song had ended.
*I love you too* Catie replied. Jamie went back to the bleachers, too self-conscious to dance a fast dance, but Val was dancing with Hank and Catie with Tyler. Anything so Hank and Tyler could be a couple but not be openly gay. When the next slow song came on, Catie rejoined him, signing *ask Val to dance!*
*What? Val?*
*Yes, Val! Go!* Catie signed back, hoping he would do it. She needed a good, friendly dance with no strings attached.
Jamie stood up and walked over to Val, "Would you like to dance?" he asked. Secretly he hoped he sounded like James Bond.
Val smiled and took his arm. They swayed to the music, Val leading as well. This was confusing Jamie although he appreciated it. Why were the girls leading the guys? When the song ended they joined Catie and headed towards the snack table.
*So, why did you and Val lead?* Jamie asked.
*Because it's hard for you too. I figured you'd be nervous already.*
*I love you Catie* Jamie signed, kissing her quickly on the cheek. If he initiated the contact he didn't flinch away.
***
Kenny had seen Jamie dancing and carrying on with Catie the entire night. How dare he, Kenny thought, he left. He should stay gone.
When they decided to get some refreshments he made his move. Tapping the darker man on the shoulder, Kenny too the opportunity to punch him in the jaw. Jamie stumbled back not even seeing who hit him.
Immediately the crowd parted to give the two fighters room and the dance floor was abandoned as the chant of 'fight, fight, fight' emerged. Jamie stood up, prepared to walk away when Catie stepped in the middle, yelling at Kenny to back down. Kenny just pushed her out of the way, she fell into the knees of the other students.
"I don't know what you're trying to do Kenny, but leave me out of it!" Jamie warned, not wanting to fight. He'd had enough fighting.
"Little deaf James doesn't want to fight, huh?" Kenny taunted, circling, trying to punch him occasionally.
Jamie countered the punches before deciding enough was enough. He attacked Kenny, tackling him, punching him mercilessly. That's when Carlson showed up. He waded into the fight pulling Jamie off of Kenny. He dragged them both outside and Catie followed behind after reassuring Val that she wasn't hurt.
"Miss Roth!" Carlson said, after making sure Kenny and Jamie would not attack each other again. "Care to explain this since I'm sure you were in the middle of it?"
"Jamie and I were getting some punch, Kenny came up and punched Jamie. I don't know why."
"Kenny?" Kenny sat there sullenly. "Jamie?"
Then Carlson remembered he was deaf. He motioned for Jamie to explain his side.
"We went to get punch and Kenny punched me. I didn't want to fight him but he knocked Catie down, I couldn't not fight after he did that."
"I've heard enough. Kenny, you are suspension from all school activities and three days from school. Mr. Waite, I don't want to see you at a school function or on campus here for the rest of the school year. Understand?" Kenny nodded, uncaring. "James?"
"Hello! Earth to Carlson, I'm deaf!" Jamie called out. What a moron. He fished his pad of paper out of his pocket and a pen, handing them both to Carlson with a look of utter exasperation, this was the fourth time he had forgotten in two weeks!
Carlson quickly wrote his punishment on the paper and handed it too him making sure he understood it. Jamie crumpled the paper in his pocket and walked away with Catie, heading back to his apartment...home. Alex's apartment was his home he realized with a start.
A/n: I don't know the names of Catie's family, so I named them whatever I pleased. Nya nya nya J also, in the spirit of having mixed nationalities I made Catie's mom Hispanic.
1). Deaf people can drive. I have 1 friend ½ deaf and 1 friend who is, both drive (cars and me up the wall!)
By Maureen
Disclaimer: if you don't know this schpiel by heart...well, tough. You should.
Jamie sat nervously in the captains' chair in the middle of the doctor's office. The doctor was fiddling about, looking in his ears and using some odd-looking equipment, putting tiny alien eggs in my brain Jamie thought.
Finally he fitted the hearing aids back onto Jamie's ears, his adjustments finished. He was gradually turning the amplification up getting Jamie used to hearing again after so long. He still would not hear human voices, he most likely never would with the current technology, but he would be able to hear some.
The doctor handed Jamie a set of headphones, which he obediently fitted over his ears. Raising his hand when he heard the noises, he marveled as he heard more than the last time. Finally the doctor pronounced them done, and before he could say anything more Jamie was already gone. He had a dance with his girl.
***
Catie nervously fiddled with her hair in front of the dresser mirror. Since she was one of two Roth girls going to the dance, she was forced to get ready in the bedroom instead of the bathroom. Her older sister, Rebecca had already claimed the bathroom.
Up or down was the question of the moment. She didn't have the money to get her hair professionally done like she had hoped and still buy the dress. The dress won. "Caitlin, stop fussing, I'll do your hair!" Catie's mom cried, walking past the bedroom and seeing her daughter still indecisive. She worked as a hairdresser for a living and hated having to do her families hair but recognized she rarely had much choice. Money was tight and getting tighter as the kids became older and older.
"Thanks, mom," she replied, following her mom down the hallway to her parents bedroom. In one corner was her father's desk and computer, peripherals and notes for partially coded software were littered about it. He was a computer programmer and frequently brought his work home.
In the opposite corner was her mom's hair equipment. A large table with an even larger mirror in front of it. Hairspray, rubber bands and curling irons besieged the table, which Catie thought was brown wood but was not sure. She sat down in the chair in front of the table and her mother began to expertly comb through her daughters thick, dark hair. "I have the perfect idea," she said to Catie, pulling her hair up with bobby pins. She separated several of the shorter locks in front of Catie's face and several of the longer ones, leaving them to hang. Thirty minutes later she had transformed her daughter into a princess.
"Oh, wow, Mom, thanks!" Catie cried, throwing her arms around her mother's neck.
"De nada nina," her mom replied in her native tongue, Spanish. While they were not fluent in the language, all the Roth kids in middle or high school took it for their language.
Catie hurried out of the room to finish getting dressed.
***
Jamie for his part was having a much less stressful time getting ready for the dance. Shave, spike hair, don tux, money in wallet, and keys to Alex's car, he was good to go.
*Ready?* Alex asked, handing him several condoms.
*Yeah,* Jamie replied, taking the proffered packages. "Um, Alex?" he held them awkwardly as if he was not sure if they would attack him or not.
*Just in case. You know what I'd prefer, but I also know you're a teenager and I'd rather you be safe than sorry.*
*Thanks.* Jamie placed one inside his wallet and left the others in the bedside drawer. Alex was taking Jamie's bike and spending the night at his sister's house, allowing Jamie and Catie some alone time after the dance. He had already laid down the ground rules though, no parties, no other people over and he was coming back at 10am the next day so she should be home by then as well.
***
Checking his appearance once more in the mirror, he thundered down the stairs where Alex was waiting on Jamie's bike. He was going to follow Jamie to Catie's house so they could take pictures before leaving.
Jamie rang the doorbell nervously, hoping he looked all right. Alex was lurking behind him slightly out of sight as any nervous parent might before their child left for first big dance whilst in high school. Mrs. Roth opened the door, ushering both Jamie and Alex in. The trio stood there awkwardly, not quite knowing how to behave. After a few seconds Mrs. Roth turned towards the stairs and called up for Catie. While her back was turned Alex elbowed his ward in the ribs and jerked his head towards her. A blatant 'you have manners' gesture.
"Ma'am, I'm Jamie Waite," Jamie said carefully. More and more frequently had he been admonished to watch how loud he spoke. He held out his hand, "Pleased to meet you."
"Graciela Roth," she replied, shaking his hand. Although she had never met her daughters' best friend and now boyfriend she had heard about him as she discussed him on the phone with her friend Val. Nothing was private in the Roth household. She had wondered how this dance idea would work since he was deaf, but was willing to give anything a shot once.
"I'm Dr. Alex Freeman," Alex said, introducing himself. "Jamie lives with me."
Before anyone could continue with the pleasantries, Catie descended the stairs, her purple dress capturing everything perfectly. Her hair was rolled into a simple French twist, but like most things with Catie, nothing was truly simple. Tiny strands of silver were threaded into the tiny braids at the crown of her hair before being pulled into the twist. Several strands of hair were loose, curly seductively around her face. She had a purple and black choker on, accenting her neck and carried a silver purse. On later inspection Jamie noticed tiny black and silver roses were entwined down the length of the twist in subtle elegance.
When she reached the ground floor, Jamie handed her the bouquet of white roses he had bought on the way to her house, in the middle of the bouquet was a black, silk rose, something to remember the night by forever that would not fade or wilt. She accepted them with a smile, *thank you.*
Alex took nearly a roll of pictures of the couple, beaming like a proud parent. It was ironic, Jamie thought, nearly six months ago he wanted to get rid of me faster than lice, now he's proud of me.
Just as they were finishing their photos, Rebecca's date arrived, a boy Jamie vaguely recognized from the Kingsport high football team and Mrs. Roth made the new couple begin the pictures giving Jamie and Catie a chance to escape. They had decided to forgo dinner and head straight for the dance.
***
The gym pulsated with music. In the center was the dance floor where it seemed as if the entire school was trying to move in a mass orgy to the music without actually touching anyone else. Jamie and Catie headed towards the wooden bleachers where Val was sitting.
Val waved when she spotted Val and Jamie, flagging them over. Jamie waved and sat down with Catie between him and Val. He watched the people, determined to have a good time at the dance. Catie tapped his arm and pointed at the snack table, Hank and Tyler were talking with Heather and her date, a nameless senior who posed for magazines. They were perfect for each other and Jamie laughed as Hank rolled his eyes heavenward.
*Jamie, dance?* Catie asked once a slow song came on. He really didn't want to but knew he should.
"Sure," he replied, nodding. They stood up and Jamie led her to the dance floor. She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him, his arms around her waist. Then, to Jamie's surprise, she began to lead them, subtly so no one would realize it.
He followed her around, as they swayed to the music. "I love you," Jamie said softly once the song had ended.
*I love you too* Catie replied. Jamie went back to the bleachers, too self-conscious to dance a fast dance, but Val was dancing with Hank and Catie with Tyler. Anything so Hank and Tyler could be a couple but not be openly gay. When the next slow song came on, Catie rejoined him, signing *ask Val to dance!*
*What? Val?*
*Yes, Val! Go!* Catie signed back, hoping he would do it. She needed a good, friendly dance with no strings attached.
Jamie stood up and walked over to Val, "Would you like to dance?" he asked. Secretly he hoped he sounded like James Bond.
Val smiled and took his arm. They swayed to the music, Val leading as well. This was confusing Jamie although he appreciated it. Why were the girls leading the guys? When the song ended they joined Catie and headed towards the snack table.
*So, why did you and Val lead?* Jamie asked.
*Because it's hard for you too. I figured you'd be nervous already.*
*I love you Catie* Jamie signed, kissing her quickly on the cheek. If he initiated the contact he didn't flinch away.
***
Kenny had seen Jamie dancing and carrying on with Catie the entire night. How dare he, Kenny thought, he left. He should stay gone.
When they decided to get some refreshments he made his move. Tapping the darker man on the shoulder, Kenny too the opportunity to punch him in the jaw. Jamie stumbled back not even seeing who hit him.
Immediately the crowd parted to give the two fighters room and the dance floor was abandoned as the chant of 'fight, fight, fight' emerged. Jamie stood up, prepared to walk away when Catie stepped in the middle, yelling at Kenny to back down. Kenny just pushed her out of the way, she fell into the knees of the other students.
"I don't know what you're trying to do Kenny, but leave me out of it!" Jamie warned, not wanting to fight. He'd had enough fighting.
"Little deaf James doesn't want to fight, huh?" Kenny taunted, circling, trying to punch him occasionally.
Jamie countered the punches before deciding enough was enough. He attacked Kenny, tackling him, punching him mercilessly. That's when Carlson showed up. He waded into the fight pulling Jamie off of Kenny. He dragged them both outside and Catie followed behind after reassuring Val that she wasn't hurt.
"Miss Roth!" Carlson said, after making sure Kenny and Jamie would not attack each other again. "Care to explain this since I'm sure you were in the middle of it?"
"Jamie and I were getting some punch, Kenny came up and punched Jamie. I don't know why."
"Kenny?" Kenny sat there sullenly. "Jamie?"
Then Carlson remembered he was deaf. He motioned for Jamie to explain his side.
"We went to get punch and Kenny punched me. I didn't want to fight him but he knocked Catie down, I couldn't not fight after he did that."
"I've heard enough. Kenny, you are suspension from all school activities and three days from school. Mr. Waite, I don't want to see you at a school function or on campus here for the rest of the school year. Understand?" Kenny nodded, uncaring. "James?"
"Hello! Earth to Carlson, I'm deaf!" Jamie called out. What a moron. He fished his pad of paper out of his pocket and a pen, handing them both to Carlson with a look of utter exasperation, this was the fourth time he had forgotten in two weeks!
Carlson quickly wrote his punishment on the paper and handed it too him making sure he understood it. Jamie crumpled the paper in his pocket and walked away with Catie, heading back to his apartment...home. Alex's apartment was his home he realized with a start.
A/n: I don't know the names of Catie's family, so I named them whatever I pleased. Nya nya nya J also, in the spirit of having mixed nationalities I made Catie's mom Hispanic.
1). Deaf people can drive. I have 1 friend ½ deaf and 1 friend who is, both drive (cars and me up the wall!)