Silent Heartbeats 18: I Call that a Bargain
By Maureen
I apoligize for any spelling mistakes, my microsoft word is on crack and I can't get it fixed. So this is from notepad.
***
Jamie had parked himself in front of the TV, history book in hand, to watch the Simpson's. No one else was around, the squad was off on a call and Brooke was using the computer in the other room to do paperwork. All in all, a fairly decent Thursday afternoon. Except for not being out with the squad, that still hurt. Jamie thought it would for a long time. He had only been on the squad for about six months, but those had been some of the best times of his life up until then and, sure, his life now wasn't awful...but he still wanted to be on the squad again. There was something special, speeding to an accident, helping to save peoples lives, the adrenaline pumping, knowing that total strangers were dependent on you. It was exhilarating.
And he was watching the Simpson's, his only company his history book. How dull. "Hey Brooke," he called, as she walked by, arms loaded with papers.
She nodded back, carefully placing the papers on the table. *What did you get Catie for her birthday?* she asked, her signs were still slow, but she was improving and accurate.
*Oh damn! That's this weekend isn't it?*
*Yeah. Her party is Saturday night, remember? You're her boyfriend, you are supposed to know these things.*
*I thought it was next weekend. What should I get her?*
*Not a clue. I was hoping you had some ideas for me.* Brooke shook her head, laughing at the confused and upset expression on her friends face, *I'm sure you will find something wonderful, Jamie. Don't worry.*
***
The following afternoon, Jamie was at the mall, one of his least favorite places to be, scouring the stores for the perfect 'my girlfriend is turning 18' birthday present. He instantly rejected anything from Gadzook's, despite Catie loving most of their clothes, he knew that she never bought anything because it made the person wearing them look cheap. Catie was a Goth, she was not a slut.
Spencer's had plenty of novelty items, gifts that would be perfect if Brooke wasn't going to be there and if they were having sex. Both had agreed to take it slow. And Val would have his head if he corrupted Brooke any more than he already had. Plus, he wasn't really fond of strawberries - the only flavor the edible underwear came in.
After what seemed to be endless, he found the perfect gift. Not too expensive, not too risqué and, best of all, something he could give in front of Brooke. It was perfect.
While he was walking back to his bike, he ran into some classmates from school. He waved at them, stopping in the middle of the walkway.
*How are you?* the girl asked, shifting her bags quickly.
*I'm fine, you?* Jamie replied politely. He had quickly learned that you are always polite, at least at first, in a conversation because there were so few people who knew sign language. Deaf culture was different than hearing culture.
*I'd be better,* her friend replied, *if she didn't drag me into every store in this place. Why are you here? I wouldn't think the mall was your favorite place.*
*It's not,* Jamie admitted, *It's my girlfriend's birthday this weekend, I had to get her something.* he pulled the envelope from his jacket pocket to show them what he bought.
*Hey, a bunch of us are going up to Washington in a couple weeks for the DPN reenactment. Interested?*
*Yeah, maybe.* Jamie replied, not really sure, *I'd have to see what I'm doing then. I'll let you know later. I have to go now.*
*Bye!* they said, waving.
***
Jamie waited outside of Kingsport High School for Catie to finish detention. One thing that had improved since he had transfered to the Bradford School was his detention record. Despite his initial misgivings about going to a private school, he was enjoying it. He was even begining to enjoy sign language. It was a bit easier than French.
He leaned against his motorcyle, his blazer jacket whipping around behind him in the wind. He tapped his foot and glanced at his watch, ready for her to be done. He didn't notice Carlson walking up behind him.
"Mr. Waite," Carlson said. Jamie didn't turn around. Sighing, Carlson realized his mistake yet again, and stepped around the bike to face Jamie. "Mr. Waite."
"Carlson," Jamie replied neutrally. He had been banned from campus at the end of last school year, but his banishment had ended last June. It was early October, and he wasn't doing anything.
"It's cold," Carlson said, pretending to shiver.
"Yeah," Jamie agreed, not quite sure what the point was. It was always cold at night in October in Virginia. "I noticed."
"How are you doing?"
"Do we really need to go through this again?" Jamie asked, rhetorically. Carlson never forgot when Jamie or Catie had detention yet he couldn't seem to grasp that Jamie couldn't hear. "You should learn sign," he advised.
Carlson pulled out a pen and paper, writing his message out.
"I'm fine, I'm even staying out of detention somehow. Here," Jamie made the sign for 'how'. "This is 'how'." Carlson clumsily repeated it. Jamie showed him again, until he got it right. "Now, if you point at me, that means 'you'."
Jamie quickly signed 'how you' to Carlson. Carlson looked at Jamie askance.
"I asked how you were," Jamie said, exasperated. "Oh. You can't reply yet." He took his hand, palm up, and placed it in front of his chin, bringing it down to rest in his left hand. "'Good'". then he did the same thing palm down. "'Bad.' So, how are you?" he repeated, both in sign and verbally.
Slowly, Carlson replied 'good'. Before things could get more embarassing, Catie showed up, her long black coat swirling around her legs.
*You okay?* she asked, glancing towards Carlson.
*Yeah, um...I think he wants something. He's being way too nice.*
Catie turned her attention to the principal. "Um, can we help you with anything?" she asked.
"Ah, well, that is," Carlson muttered, "I was wondering if Jamie had considered coming back to Kingsport High next semester."
Catie quickly translated, not really sure she was hearing correctly. Jamie obviously didn't believe him either.
"What?!" they asked.
"Well, you see, a hard of hearing boy just enrolled in 10th grade and the district is supplying him with a translator. Since you now know sign, I thought- that is... "
"But why do you want me back again?" There was no lost love between any of the bleacher junkies and Carlson.
Carlson sighed. "Because, I've been following your progress at Bradford and I'm impressed with your behavior and improved grades. If you keep up the good work, you are more than welcome back now."
"No thanks, Carlson," Jamie told him, thinking about the night before at the mall, "I like it there. I'm accepted, whereas I will always be a no-good bleacher junkie here. And Kenny with keep coming after me. Ready Catie?" he handed her his spare helmet, before pulling his on too.
They pulled away leaving Carlson standing there, wondering when Jamie had stopped being a thorn in his side and started to make sense.
***
Val's house was no where near as fancy as Tyler's but she was Catie's best friend and her house was larger than Jamie's apartment, so the party was there. It was a very comfortable house. The party was going to be fairly small, even though they could have conceivably invited all of the bleacher junkies. Catie had inisted on this birthday being memorable though and wanted quality, not quantity. They let her since she was the birthday girl.
Brooke squatted in front of the tv trying to figure out how to turn the closed captioning on. They had rented several Catie-esque movies to watch during the night. Jamie crept up behind his 'kid sister', grabbing at her shoulders, causing her to jump nearly a foot in the air. "Jamie!" she shrieked.
"What're you doing?" he asked, grinning like a cheshire cat.
*Closed captioning* she spelled out slowly in finger spelling. *How?*
"Gimme," he ordered, quickly pressing some buttons on the remote. "There," he pronounced after a minute, "done."
Tyler came into the living room then, waving at Jamie. They had all learned that waving was a fairly important part of deaf culture, a wave could mean 'hello' or 'goodbye' and it was used to get someone's attention.
"Hey, man," Jamie said, hitting his fist against Tyler's. "How's it going?"
*Good, good,* Tyler replied, *you?*
"It's all good."
Tyler didn't know much sign, but he used what he knew and wasn't afraid to ask Catie or Alex to translate or write it out. Besides, when they played basketball or frisbee at the station, which they had done frequently over the summer, they hadn't really needed words.
Tyler absently picked up the movies on the coffee table. "Cecil B. Demented, The Neverending Story, The Adventures of Sebastion Cole, Labyrinth, and Goonies. Who picked out the movies Brooke?"
"Jamie and Val. Guess which two he picked? But it's cool, Catie loves 80's movies so she'll be happy."
"Where's Caite?" Jamie asked, she should have been here by now.
Tyler tapped him on the shoulder as he headed towards the front door.
"Oh."
***
"Catie!" Val exclaimed, opening the door. As the birthday girl, she was being fashionably late. "Happy birthday!"
"Hey Val!" Catie replied, grinning from ear to ear. She knew about the party, but was overwhelmed that her friends would hold a party for her, usually her parents threw it. *Hey love.*
"Presents!" Brooke cried, anxious to see what Catie received, she barely allowed Catie through the door before she was dragging the older girl to the living room.
"Now?" Val asked, laughing. It was good to get together with everyone outside of the station.
"Now!" Jamie said emphatically, agreeing with Brooke.
They trooped to the living room, settling in around the living room table, Catie wedged on the sofa between Jamie and Val.
"Me first!" Brooke announced, handing Catie her present. Catie unwrapped it as slow as she could instead of tearing into the colourful paper like she usually would. It was entertaining watching Brooke squirm with anticipation.
Finally she opened the box, revealing a Harry Potter t-shirt that looked like it came from a real school in England. "Oh wow!" Catie cried. It was the shirt she had been ogling over with Val a few weeks before. "Thank you Brooke!"
"Me next!" Jamie said, putting his envelope in her hands.
*Glamour Shots?* Catie asked, confused. *Like those professional pictures?*
*Yeah, I got you a complete sitting, makeup, hair, everything. You're gorgeous you know.*
"Aww!" Catie cooed, hugging her boyfriend fiercely around his neck. *I love you.*
Val gave her a Beatle's lunchbox and Tyler gave her the Dexter Freebish CD.
***
The night progressed rapidly, with much pizza being devoured and popcorn thrown at David Bowie in drag.
*I don't understand it,* Brooke signed absently during the movie.
*Don't understand what?* Jamie asked.
*Why did David Bowie agree to dress in drag like that?*
*He's a rock star, Brooke, he has always dressed differently. For him, this is almost tame. Just accept it and go on.*
*Is he straight?*
*Beats me, I think he is married now though.*
***
"Guys, this was the best birthday ever!" Catie cried, hugging Val and Brooke tightly around their necks. "Thank you."
"Aww, sweetie, it was our pleasure," Val replied, knowing this would be the last birthday they had together. Senior year meant a lot of "final times". In less than a month they would begin applying to college.
*Thank you, Jamie,* Catie said, hugging Jamie. She was very shy about PDA and even after dating for more than six months, she was still hesitant to do anything past hugging or a quick kiss on the cheek in public. *I will see you on Monday, okay?*
*Happy birthday, Catie, I love you.* he signed, hugging her back. *I got to go though. Tyler is bugging me to go and he's my ride.*
*Love you too.* "Bye Tyler!" Catie called, waving at the football player in the driveway. She was spending the night with Brooke and Val, well, as much night as was left at 2am.
***
A/N: ASL grammar and english grammar are quite different, but (now that I am learning ASL grammar) I will continue to write the ASL in english grammar.
DPN: Deaf President Now protest at Gaulladet University, it took place in 1988
Special thanks to Josh, Cal, Vonnie, and everyone else at Coffee Plantation that I missed (even though they don't know about this fic) for helping me learn about deaf culture and for working with me to learn sign language.
By Maureen
I apoligize for any spelling mistakes, my microsoft word is on crack and I can't get it fixed. So this is from notepad.
***
Jamie had parked himself in front of the TV, history book in hand, to watch the Simpson's. No one else was around, the squad was off on a call and Brooke was using the computer in the other room to do paperwork. All in all, a fairly decent Thursday afternoon. Except for not being out with the squad, that still hurt. Jamie thought it would for a long time. He had only been on the squad for about six months, but those had been some of the best times of his life up until then and, sure, his life now wasn't awful...but he still wanted to be on the squad again. There was something special, speeding to an accident, helping to save peoples lives, the adrenaline pumping, knowing that total strangers were dependent on you. It was exhilarating.
And he was watching the Simpson's, his only company his history book. How dull. "Hey Brooke," he called, as she walked by, arms loaded with papers.
She nodded back, carefully placing the papers on the table. *What did you get Catie for her birthday?* she asked, her signs were still slow, but she was improving and accurate.
*Oh damn! That's this weekend isn't it?*
*Yeah. Her party is Saturday night, remember? You're her boyfriend, you are supposed to know these things.*
*I thought it was next weekend. What should I get her?*
*Not a clue. I was hoping you had some ideas for me.* Brooke shook her head, laughing at the confused and upset expression on her friends face, *I'm sure you will find something wonderful, Jamie. Don't worry.*
***
The following afternoon, Jamie was at the mall, one of his least favorite places to be, scouring the stores for the perfect 'my girlfriend is turning 18' birthday present. He instantly rejected anything from Gadzook's, despite Catie loving most of their clothes, he knew that she never bought anything because it made the person wearing them look cheap. Catie was a Goth, she was not a slut.
Spencer's had plenty of novelty items, gifts that would be perfect if Brooke wasn't going to be there and if they were having sex. Both had agreed to take it slow. And Val would have his head if he corrupted Brooke any more than he already had. Plus, he wasn't really fond of strawberries - the only flavor the edible underwear came in.
After what seemed to be endless, he found the perfect gift. Not too expensive, not too risqué and, best of all, something he could give in front of Brooke. It was perfect.
While he was walking back to his bike, he ran into some classmates from school. He waved at them, stopping in the middle of the walkway.
*How are you?* the girl asked, shifting her bags quickly.
*I'm fine, you?* Jamie replied politely. He had quickly learned that you are always polite, at least at first, in a conversation because there were so few people who knew sign language. Deaf culture was different than hearing culture.
*I'd be better,* her friend replied, *if she didn't drag me into every store in this place. Why are you here? I wouldn't think the mall was your favorite place.*
*It's not,* Jamie admitted, *It's my girlfriend's birthday this weekend, I had to get her something.* he pulled the envelope from his jacket pocket to show them what he bought.
*Hey, a bunch of us are going up to Washington in a couple weeks for the DPN reenactment. Interested?*
*Yeah, maybe.* Jamie replied, not really sure, *I'd have to see what I'm doing then. I'll let you know later. I have to go now.*
*Bye!* they said, waving.
***
Jamie waited outside of Kingsport High School for Catie to finish detention. One thing that had improved since he had transfered to the Bradford School was his detention record. Despite his initial misgivings about going to a private school, he was enjoying it. He was even begining to enjoy sign language. It was a bit easier than French.
He leaned against his motorcyle, his blazer jacket whipping around behind him in the wind. He tapped his foot and glanced at his watch, ready for her to be done. He didn't notice Carlson walking up behind him.
"Mr. Waite," Carlson said. Jamie didn't turn around. Sighing, Carlson realized his mistake yet again, and stepped around the bike to face Jamie. "Mr. Waite."
"Carlson," Jamie replied neutrally. He had been banned from campus at the end of last school year, but his banishment had ended last June. It was early October, and he wasn't doing anything.
"It's cold," Carlson said, pretending to shiver.
"Yeah," Jamie agreed, not quite sure what the point was. It was always cold at night in October in Virginia. "I noticed."
"How are you doing?"
"Do we really need to go through this again?" Jamie asked, rhetorically. Carlson never forgot when Jamie or Catie had detention yet he couldn't seem to grasp that Jamie couldn't hear. "You should learn sign," he advised.
Carlson pulled out a pen and paper, writing his message out.
"I'm fine, I'm even staying out of detention somehow. Here," Jamie made the sign for 'how'. "This is 'how'." Carlson clumsily repeated it. Jamie showed him again, until he got it right. "Now, if you point at me, that means 'you'."
Jamie quickly signed 'how you' to Carlson. Carlson looked at Jamie askance.
"I asked how you were," Jamie said, exasperated. "Oh. You can't reply yet." He took his hand, palm up, and placed it in front of his chin, bringing it down to rest in his left hand. "'Good'". then he did the same thing palm down. "'Bad.' So, how are you?" he repeated, both in sign and verbally.
Slowly, Carlson replied 'good'. Before things could get more embarassing, Catie showed up, her long black coat swirling around her legs.
*You okay?* she asked, glancing towards Carlson.
*Yeah, um...I think he wants something. He's being way too nice.*
Catie turned her attention to the principal. "Um, can we help you with anything?" she asked.
"Ah, well, that is," Carlson muttered, "I was wondering if Jamie had considered coming back to Kingsport High next semester."
Catie quickly translated, not really sure she was hearing correctly. Jamie obviously didn't believe him either.
"What?!" they asked.
"Well, you see, a hard of hearing boy just enrolled in 10th grade and the district is supplying him with a translator. Since you now know sign, I thought- that is... "
"But why do you want me back again?" There was no lost love between any of the bleacher junkies and Carlson.
Carlson sighed. "Because, I've been following your progress at Bradford and I'm impressed with your behavior and improved grades. If you keep up the good work, you are more than welcome back now."
"No thanks, Carlson," Jamie told him, thinking about the night before at the mall, "I like it there. I'm accepted, whereas I will always be a no-good bleacher junkie here. And Kenny with keep coming after me. Ready Catie?" he handed her his spare helmet, before pulling his on too.
They pulled away leaving Carlson standing there, wondering when Jamie had stopped being a thorn in his side and started to make sense.
***
Val's house was no where near as fancy as Tyler's but she was Catie's best friend and her house was larger than Jamie's apartment, so the party was there. It was a very comfortable house. The party was going to be fairly small, even though they could have conceivably invited all of the bleacher junkies. Catie had inisted on this birthday being memorable though and wanted quality, not quantity. They let her since she was the birthday girl.
Brooke squatted in front of the tv trying to figure out how to turn the closed captioning on. They had rented several Catie-esque movies to watch during the night. Jamie crept up behind his 'kid sister', grabbing at her shoulders, causing her to jump nearly a foot in the air. "Jamie!" she shrieked.
"What're you doing?" he asked, grinning like a cheshire cat.
*Closed captioning* she spelled out slowly in finger spelling. *How?*
"Gimme," he ordered, quickly pressing some buttons on the remote. "There," he pronounced after a minute, "done."
Tyler came into the living room then, waving at Jamie. They had all learned that waving was a fairly important part of deaf culture, a wave could mean 'hello' or 'goodbye' and it was used to get someone's attention.
"Hey, man," Jamie said, hitting his fist against Tyler's. "How's it going?"
*Good, good,* Tyler replied, *you?*
"It's all good."
Tyler didn't know much sign, but he used what he knew and wasn't afraid to ask Catie or Alex to translate or write it out. Besides, when they played basketball or frisbee at the station, which they had done frequently over the summer, they hadn't really needed words.
Tyler absently picked up the movies on the coffee table. "Cecil B. Demented, The Neverending Story, The Adventures of Sebastion Cole, Labyrinth, and Goonies. Who picked out the movies Brooke?"
"Jamie and Val. Guess which two he picked? But it's cool, Catie loves 80's movies so she'll be happy."
"Where's Caite?" Jamie asked, she should have been here by now.
Tyler tapped him on the shoulder as he headed towards the front door.
"Oh."
***
"Catie!" Val exclaimed, opening the door. As the birthday girl, she was being fashionably late. "Happy birthday!"
"Hey Val!" Catie replied, grinning from ear to ear. She knew about the party, but was overwhelmed that her friends would hold a party for her, usually her parents threw it. *Hey love.*
"Presents!" Brooke cried, anxious to see what Catie received, she barely allowed Catie through the door before she was dragging the older girl to the living room.
"Now?" Val asked, laughing. It was good to get together with everyone outside of the station.
"Now!" Jamie said emphatically, agreeing with Brooke.
They trooped to the living room, settling in around the living room table, Catie wedged on the sofa between Jamie and Val.
"Me first!" Brooke announced, handing Catie her present. Catie unwrapped it as slow as she could instead of tearing into the colourful paper like she usually would. It was entertaining watching Brooke squirm with anticipation.
Finally she opened the box, revealing a Harry Potter t-shirt that looked like it came from a real school in England. "Oh wow!" Catie cried. It was the shirt she had been ogling over with Val a few weeks before. "Thank you Brooke!"
"Me next!" Jamie said, putting his envelope in her hands.
*Glamour Shots?* Catie asked, confused. *Like those professional pictures?*
*Yeah, I got you a complete sitting, makeup, hair, everything. You're gorgeous you know.*
"Aww!" Catie cooed, hugging her boyfriend fiercely around his neck. *I love you.*
Val gave her a Beatle's lunchbox and Tyler gave her the Dexter Freebish CD.
***
The night progressed rapidly, with much pizza being devoured and popcorn thrown at David Bowie in drag.
*I don't understand it,* Brooke signed absently during the movie.
*Don't understand what?* Jamie asked.
*Why did David Bowie agree to dress in drag like that?*
*He's a rock star, Brooke, he has always dressed differently. For him, this is almost tame. Just accept it and go on.*
*Is he straight?*
*Beats me, I think he is married now though.*
***
"Guys, this was the best birthday ever!" Catie cried, hugging Val and Brooke tightly around their necks. "Thank you."
"Aww, sweetie, it was our pleasure," Val replied, knowing this would be the last birthday they had together. Senior year meant a lot of "final times". In less than a month they would begin applying to college.
*Thank you, Jamie,* Catie said, hugging Jamie. She was very shy about PDA and even after dating for more than six months, she was still hesitant to do anything past hugging or a quick kiss on the cheek in public. *I will see you on Monday, okay?*
*Happy birthday, Catie, I love you.* he signed, hugging her back. *I got to go though. Tyler is bugging me to go and he's my ride.*
*Love you too.* "Bye Tyler!" Catie called, waving at the football player in the driveway. She was spending the night with Brooke and Val, well, as much night as was left at 2am.
***
A/N: ASL grammar and english grammar are quite different, but (now that I am learning ASL grammar) I will continue to write the ASL in english grammar.
DPN: Deaf President Now protest at Gaulladet University, it took place in 1988
Special thanks to Josh, Cal, Vonnie, and everyone else at Coffee Plantation that I missed (even though they don't know about this fic) for helping me learn about deaf culture and for working with me to learn sign language.