Chapter Two: First Year, First Word
Lizzie's POV
My first birthday party. Something I'll never forget. Well, okay, so I *did* forget, but after my mother showed me the tape, I feel as if I'll never forget it.
It's the day me and Gordo officially became best friends.
My mother was planning on throwing me a humongous first birthday party. She shopped day after day, trying to find the right shade of crepe paper, or the perfect present, or the perfect cake. She had her heart set on a colossal party with fifty people and total chaos around the house.
Well, unfortunately, my father didn't. He wanted a quiet party, and I think I agreed with him. I wasn't used to lots of people, and the only people I was used to being around was the Gordons. I was a really shy baby, I hadn't spoken a single word even by the time I was one. Some people thought I was a mute, but other doctors assumed that I'd find my voice soon enough.
"Look, honey, I think Lizzie will get overwhelmed with the idea of so many people in our house. Why don't we just invite the Gordons over for a nice, quiet dinner?" Sam begged.
"I don't know... Sam, this is a big event. Out little girl is turning one full year old!" The argued like that for days. Soon Mom caved in and they settled on a little party with David's family.
***
The day finally arrived. Well, for me, it was just another ordinary day, but my parents knew better. All day they gave me whatever I wanted, and not once, did I cry. I decided that this was some sort of special day when I get to be treated nicely.
When the Gordons arrived, I smiled nonstop. David, their son, and I had been around each other for a while (okay, a year), and clicked instantly.
"Davie, say hello to Lizzie." His mother urged.
"Hello. Me Da-id." He recited proudly.
My mother was jealous that their child could speak, and hers hadn't even said a word yet. She hated the fact that someone's baby was better than hers. "Um... sit down. Do you want anything to drink?"
But David and I paid no attention to them. We both could walk, so I toddled into a room to play with my toys, and he followed me.
"Hello. Me Da-id."
I scrunched up my nose at him. This guy was weird. He made sounds from his mouth, just like the big people did, and I thought that was odd. I started playing with my new Barney stuffed animal quietly, trying to ignore him.
"Da-id."
I cocked my head at him. Yup, he was definitely insane.
I continued to play with my stuffed animal, and to suck on my thumb. Even though he was weird, he wasn't too bad, like the other people I'd met in places like grocery stores or malls or stuff. At least he was the same size as me.
"Lookie." He said, pointing to his open mouth. I saw four little stubs of what were evolving into teeth.
I smiled at him.
"Me Da-id."
I blinked at him seriously, and wondered if I could make a sound with my mouth.
And then I did it.
I said my first words.
"Da-id?"
Probably the best present I've ever gotten.
Lizzie's POV
My first birthday party. Something I'll never forget. Well, okay, so I *did* forget, but after my mother showed me the tape, I feel as if I'll never forget it.
It's the day me and Gordo officially became best friends.
My mother was planning on throwing me a humongous first birthday party. She shopped day after day, trying to find the right shade of crepe paper, or the perfect present, or the perfect cake. She had her heart set on a colossal party with fifty people and total chaos around the house.
Well, unfortunately, my father didn't. He wanted a quiet party, and I think I agreed with him. I wasn't used to lots of people, and the only people I was used to being around was the Gordons. I was a really shy baby, I hadn't spoken a single word even by the time I was one. Some people thought I was a mute, but other doctors assumed that I'd find my voice soon enough.
"Look, honey, I think Lizzie will get overwhelmed with the idea of so many people in our house. Why don't we just invite the Gordons over for a nice, quiet dinner?" Sam begged.
"I don't know... Sam, this is a big event. Out little girl is turning one full year old!" The argued like that for days. Soon Mom caved in and they settled on a little party with David's family.
***
The day finally arrived. Well, for me, it was just another ordinary day, but my parents knew better. All day they gave me whatever I wanted, and not once, did I cry. I decided that this was some sort of special day when I get to be treated nicely.
When the Gordons arrived, I smiled nonstop. David, their son, and I had been around each other for a while (okay, a year), and clicked instantly.
"Davie, say hello to Lizzie." His mother urged.
"Hello. Me Da-id." He recited proudly.
My mother was jealous that their child could speak, and hers hadn't even said a word yet. She hated the fact that someone's baby was better than hers. "Um... sit down. Do you want anything to drink?"
But David and I paid no attention to them. We both could walk, so I toddled into a room to play with my toys, and he followed me.
"Hello. Me Da-id."
I scrunched up my nose at him. This guy was weird. He made sounds from his mouth, just like the big people did, and I thought that was odd. I started playing with my new Barney stuffed animal quietly, trying to ignore him.
"Da-id."
I cocked my head at him. Yup, he was definitely insane.
I continued to play with my stuffed animal, and to suck on my thumb. Even though he was weird, he wasn't too bad, like the other people I'd met in places like grocery stores or malls or stuff. At least he was the same size as me.
"Lookie." He said, pointing to his open mouth. I saw four little stubs of what were evolving into teeth.
I smiled at him.
"Me Da-id."
I blinked at him seriously, and wondered if I could make a sound with my mouth.
And then I did it.
I said my first words.
"Da-id?"
Probably the best present I've ever gotten.