Silent Heartbeats 11: Jamie's World
By Maureen
I just want to thank everyone who reviews practically every chapter and I'm trying to hit the 200-review mark!!! I'm almost ¾ of the way there!
***
*Hey,* Alex signed to Jamie, taking a break from making up the schedule for the station, *Why didn't you tell me that you have a field trip coming up?*
*Oh, I wasn't planning on going. So why bother?* Jamie dog-eared the book he was reading. He was acquiring so many books that Alex had bought a small bookshelf for the living room to house them.
*Why not?* Alex asked, concerned.
"It's the symphony! Why would a deaf school bring kids to the symphony?" Jamie replied aloud, bitterly. He hated what had been done to him and was constantly reminded of it.
*There is more to it than the music,* Alex replied. *When your teacher called asking if you were going, I said you were.*
"What? Alex!" Jamie exclaimed, half surprised and half angry.
*Jamie, it's a field trip. You're supposed to be happy. I've even given you the night off.*
"How nice," Jamie commented dryly. With a sign he picked up the remote for the TV and began to idly flip the channels. How could Alex or the school for that matter, thrust music in his face?
***
*Hey,* Faustus signed the next day, when Jamie walked into his bedroom. Faustus' room was the epitome of Faustus and all that encompassed being Faustus. Whatever color the walls were supposed to be was covered by posters of mostly naked women and beer posters. If Jamie hadn't known better, he would have thought he was in a dorm!
One wall held a bed, the sheets never made up properly. The second wall was dominated by his massive techno-doodads. That's what Jamie called them anyways. Faustus called it his domain. Two computer monitors, one running off windows and one running off Unix, a scanner and printer, an external zip drive was duct taped to the tower of the windows CPU and a stereo system composed an almost solid wall of electronics. The third wall held his television and VCR and the dozens of gaming systems. Jamie could see an NES, SNED, X-Box, and N64, Play station and several he couldn't readily identify. Cartridges and floppy disks were littered about the floor engaging in a battle against the used soda cans for domination of the floor.
"What're you playing?" Jamie asked, noticing the paused TV screen.
/Mario 3/ Faustus wrote, and handed the spare controller to his friend. It was a secret shared by the two friends, they only truly enjoyed playing the older games from SNES and NES systems although they tolerated the newer consoles.
Jamie picked up the second controller and pushed some of the crap out of his way so he could sit. Faust restarted the game and the two friends played in silence for nearly two hours. Jamie smiled slightly to himself, finally feeling normal. This was the only time he felt normal anymore, just two guys playing Nintendo, no words necessary.
***
*Oh, come on Jamie! Grow up!* Catie signed, sarcastically. She couldn't believe he was being such a baby!
*Why should I then?* he asked her, pouting.
*Have you ever been?* she countered,
*No. And I'm not going now.*
*If I go will you go?* Catie tried a different tactic. All this over a stupid field trip!
"Yeah," Jamie mumbled. He was going to get even with her. Girlfriend or not, he should not have to be bullied on all sides like this!
*I'll pick you up at 6:00pm tomorrow then? That way we can be at your school in time?*
"Yeah, sure, whatever. Will your mom let you have the car?"
*Yeah. I've already got permission.* Catie glanced at her watch, *I need to get going, I have to go run errands! See you tomorrow!*
They kissed quickly and Catie left the apartment to go find a dress for the symphony. She couldn't believe he was making such a huge production over going to the symphony. What was the big deal?
***
Jamie rummaged around in Alex's medicine cabinet, certain that there were extra razor blades somewhere in there. Finally he found some stashed in the back, next to a package of earplugs.
He had found his revenge.
He quickly finished getting ready, dropping the ear plugs in his pocket. Revenge was best served silent. Soon, Catie had let herself into the apartment to pick Jamie up. *Ready?* he signed.
*Waiting for you,* she replied. They quickly left, with Jamie giving her directions to the school.
When the arrived at the parking lot, Jamie pulled the earplugs out. "Here, put these in."
he told her. "Tonight, you're living in my world."
*What?* she signed confused. Realization quickly dawned, her eyes widening. She wasn't sure if he was serious or not. He looked serious. *To prove this will suck?* she asked.
"Yup," he looked way too smug.
Catie sighed, taking the small foam capsules gingerly. She pulled her long hair away from her ears and put them in gingerly. *Happy?*
*Yes, let's go.* Jamie stepped out of the car and guided Catie over to his classmates, all of whom were signing ferociously. Jamie joined in as soon as he got there. She watched their hands and realized how stupid she must seem to him. How slow. She could only catch one out of every two or three words they were making.
*This is my girlfriend, Catie,* Jamie introduced her, making the words faster than she had ever seen him. *We're signing way too fast for her.*
Jamie's classmates waved hello, and she replied back, unsure of herself suddenly. Thankfully though, the chaperones began to distribute the tickets and everyone piled into the cars to caravan to the show.
***
Everyone from the Bradford school was seated in the first two rows closest to the stage, Jamie and Catie were sitting in the second row center. One of the teachers would be signing as the translator for the conductor.
Slowly, the musicians took their places, talking to each other and warming up before the show started. Finally, the lights dimmed and the woman playing first chair violin walked on stage and bowed before taking her seat. After her came the conductor and the translator.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," the conductor began. Catie could see his lips move much heard nothing. She turned and paid attention to the translator, ignoring the conductor completely.
*Tonight we have the Bradford School for the Deaf visiting us and hope they, as well as everyone else, has a wonderful time.*
Turning her attention back to the conductor, he lifted his baton and the music started. Simply watching the musicians was beautiful to Catie, the graceful movements and their focus.
Jamie was enraptured, he could feel the music, the vibrations in the air. Combining that with the movements of the musicians, he never dreamed the symphony could be this mesmerizing.
At the intermission, Catie and Jamie had gone outside to the lobby to talk and stretch their legs.
*Wasn't that amazing!* Jamie signed, forgetting that he was supposed to be hating the symphony.
*Oh, yeah,* Catie agreed, *We should bring Val here sometime, or the boys.*
*As a group? That'd be cool.* the lights dimmed, signaling to all that intermission was about to be over.
*I'll be right back, going to run to the bathroom,* Catie said, dashing off. As much as she was enjoying the symphony, she wanted to hear the music too. In the bathroom she quickly took the earplugs out and put them in her purse, before running back to her seat.
The second act was better than the first if that was possible. The upbeat and intricate music was interesting and beautiful.
After the show Jamie and Catie decided to go get dessert instead of heading out with the other kids. They were walking to her car when another couple in their mid forties stopped them.
"Excuse me?" the man said, "I locked my keys in the car, do you have a cell phone so we can call triple A?"
"No, but we might be able to jimmy the lock," Catie replied, quickly signing for Jamie. He was the one who would be able to do it, not her.
He quickly took the keys from her and headed a few cars over, retrieving a metal coat hanger from the back of the station wagon. No one was quite sure why it was there but it had never left.
"You're from the deaf school?" the woman asked, enunciating slowly.
"No, I go to Kingsport HS, my boyfriend goes to Bradford." Catie told them, trying not to laugh as the man turned pink with embarrassment. "But if anyone can open your door, he can."
Jamie returned with the coat hanger and began to expertly untwist so it would be useful. He inserted it between the window and the car carefully, wiggling it around.
While he was working the couple was quizzing Catie. "So he's deaf?"
"Yeah," Catie replied.
"So why did you go to the symphony?"
"His school fieldtrip. And the big baby didn't want to go. But it was amazing, we both loved it."
"Got it!" he announced, not realizing that they had been talking about him. He pulled the coat hanger out and opened the door with a flourish.
"How did you learn that?" the man asked, forgetting that Jamie couldn't hear him.
Catie quickly translated it. Jamie laughed, "Lot's of practice," he replied. "you just have to catch the lock just right."
"Thank you," the woman replied, getting into the car.
"No problem," the couple replied, heading over to their own car.
A/n: sorry it took so long, been busy! But man - Jamie and Catie sure have interesting adventures in dark parking lots!
By Maureen
I just want to thank everyone who reviews practically every chapter and I'm trying to hit the 200-review mark!!! I'm almost ¾ of the way there!
***
*Hey,* Alex signed to Jamie, taking a break from making up the schedule for the station, *Why didn't you tell me that you have a field trip coming up?*
*Oh, I wasn't planning on going. So why bother?* Jamie dog-eared the book he was reading. He was acquiring so many books that Alex had bought a small bookshelf for the living room to house them.
*Why not?* Alex asked, concerned.
"It's the symphony! Why would a deaf school bring kids to the symphony?" Jamie replied aloud, bitterly. He hated what had been done to him and was constantly reminded of it.
*There is more to it than the music,* Alex replied. *When your teacher called asking if you were going, I said you were.*
"What? Alex!" Jamie exclaimed, half surprised and half angry.
*Jamie, it's a field trip. You're supposed to be happy. I've even given you the night off.*
"How nice," Jamie commented dryly. With a sign he picked up the remote for the TV and began to idly flip the channels. How could Alex or the school for that matter, thrust music in his face?
***
*Hey,* Faustus signed the next day, when Jamie walked into his bedroom. Faustus' room was the epitome of Faustus and all that encompassed being Faustus. Whatever color the walls were supposed to be was covered by posters of mostly naked women and beer posters. If Jamie hadn't known better, he would have thought he was in a dorm!
One wall held a bed, the sheets never made up properly. The second wall was dominated by his massive techno-doodads. That's what Jamie called them anyways. Faustus called it his domain. Two computer monitors, one running off windows and one running off Unix, a scanner and printer, an external zip drive was duct taped to the tower of the windows CPU and a stereo system composed an almost solid wall of electronics. The third wall held his television and VCR and the dozens of gaming systems. Jamie could see an NES, SNED, X-Box, and N64, Play station and several he couldn't readily identify. Cartridges and floppy disks were littered about the floor engaging in a battle against the used soda cans for domination of the floor.
"What're you playing?" Jamie asked, noticing the paused TV screen.
/Mario 3/ Faustus wrote, and handed the spare controller to his friend. It was a secret shared by the two friends, they only truly enjoyed playing the older games from SNES and NES systems although they tolerated the newer consoles.
Jamie picked up the second controller and pushed some of the crap out of his way so he could sit. Faust restarted the game and the two friends played in silence for nearly two hours. Jamie smiled slightly to himself, finally feeling normal. This was the only time he felt normal anymore, just two guys playing Nintendo, no words necessary.
***
*Oh, come on Jamie! Grow up!* Catie signed, sarcastically. She couldn't believe he was being such a baby!
*Why should I then?* he asked her, pouting.
*Have you ever been?* she countered,
*No. And I'm not going now.*
*If I go will you go?* Catie tried a different tactic. All this over a stupid field trip!
"Yeah," Jamie mumbled. He was going to get even with her. Girlfriend or not, he should not have to be bullied on all sides like this!
*I'll pick you up at 6:00pm tomorrow then? That way we can be at your school in time?*
"Yeah, sure, whatever. Will your mom let you have the car?"
*Yeah. I've already got permission.* Catie glanced at her watch, *I need to get going, I have to go run errands! See you tomorrow!*
They kissed quickly and Catie left the apartment to go find a dress for the symphony. She couldn't believe he was making such a huge production over going to the symphony. What was the big deal?
***
Jamie rummaged around in Alex's medicine cabinet, certain that there were extra razor blades somewhere in there. Finally he found some stashed in the back, next to a package of earplugs.
He had found his revenge.
He quickly finished getting ready, dropping the ear plugs in his pocket. Revenge was best served silent. Soon, Catie had let herself into the apartment to pick Jamie up. *Ready?* he signed.
*Waiting for you,* she replied. They quickly left, with Jamie giving her directions to the school.
When the arrived at the parking lot, Jamie pulled the earplugs out. "Here, put these in."
he told her. "Tonight, you're living in my world."
*What?* she signed confused. Realization quickly dawned, her eyes widening. She wasn't sure if he was serious or not. He looked serious. *To prove this will suck?* she asked.
"Yup," he looked way too smug.
Catie sighed, taking the small foam capsules gingerly. She pulled her long hair away from her ears and put them in gingerly. *Happy?*
*Yes, let's go.* Jamie stepped out of the car and guided Catie over to his classmates, all of whom were signing ferociously. Jamie joined in as soon as he got there. She watched their hands and realized how stupid she must seem to him. How slow. She could only catch one out of every two or three words they were making.
*This is my girlfriend, Catie,* Jamie introduced her, making the words faster than she had ever seen him. *We're signing way too fast for her.*
Jamie's classmates waved hello, and she replied back, unsure of herself suddenly. Thankfully though, the chaperones began to distribute the tickets and everyone piled into the cars to caravan to the show.
***
Everyone from the Bradford school was seated in the first two rows closest to the stage, Jamie and Catie were sitting in the second row center. One of the teachers would be signing as the translator for the conductor.
Slowly, the musicians took their places, talking to each other and warming up before the show started. Finally, the lights dimmed and the woman playing first chair violin walked on stage and bowed before taking her seat. After her came the conductor and the translator.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," the conductor began. Catie could see his lips move much heard nothing. She turned and paid attention to the translator, ignoring the conductor completely.
*Tonight we have the Bradford School for the Deaf visiting us and hope they, as well as everyone else, has a wonderful time.*
Turning her attention back to the conductor, he lifted his baton and the music started. Simply watching the musicians was beautiful to Catie, the graceful movements and their focus.
Jamie was enraptured, he could feel the music, the vibrations in the air. Combining that with the movements of the musicians, he never dreamed the symphony could be this mesmerizing.
At the intermission, Catie and Jamie had gone outside to the lobby to talk and stretch their legs.
*Wasn't that amazing!* Jamie signed, forgetting that he was supposed to be hating the symphony.
*Oh, yeah,* Catie agreed, *We should bring Val here sometime, or the boys.*
*As a group? That'd be cool.* the lights dimmed, signaling to all that intermission was about to be over.
*I'll be right back, going to run to the bathroom,* Catie said, dashing off. As much as she was enjoying the symphony, she wanted to hear the music too. In the bathroom she quickly took the earplugs out and put them in her purse, before running back to her seat.
The second act was better than the first if that was possible. The upbeat and intricate music was interesting and beautiful.
After the show Jamie and Catie decided to go get dessert instead of heading out with the other kids. They were walking to her car when another couple in their mid forties stopped them.
"Excuse me?" the man said, "I locked my keys in the car, do you have a cell phone so we can call triple A?"
"No, but we might be able to jimmy the lock," Catie replied, quickly signing for Jamie. He was the one who would be able to do it, not her.
He quickly took the keys from her and headed a few cars over, retrieving a metal coat hanger from the back of the station wagon. No one was quite sure why it was there but it had never left.
"You're from the deaf school?" the woman asked, enunciating slowly.
"No, I go to Kingsport HS, my boyfriend goes to Bradford." Catie told them, trying not to laugh as the man turned pink with embarrassment. "But if anyone can open your door, he can."
Jamie returned with the coat hanger and began to expertly untwist so it would be useful. He inserted it between the window and the car carefully, wiggling it around.
While he was working the couple was quizzing Catie. "So he's deaf?"
"Yeah," Catie replied.
"So why did you go to the symphony?"
"His school fieldtrip. And the big baby didn't want to go. But it was amazing, we both loved it."
"Got it!" he announced, not realizing that they had been talking about him. He pulled the coat hanger out and opened the door with a flourish.
"How did you learn that?" the man asked, forgetting that Jamie couldn't hear him.
Catie quickly translated it. Jamie laughed, "Lot's of practice," he replied. "you just have to catch the lock just right."
"Thank you," the woman replied, getting into the car.
"No problem," the couple replied, heading over to their own car.
A/n: sorry it took so long, been busy! But man - Jamie and Catie sure have interesting adventures in dark parking lots!