The ride home Matty was just in a daze. Matty had just met Rachel. He had never been on a date before. His family was going to tease him mercilessly about this. Wait until they found out she was a Gilstrap. Phillip was already laughing at him the entire drive home.

Matty walked in the house still in a daze. His mother immediately came over to him and felt his forehead. "What's the matter sweet boy? What's wrong? Did something happen at school? Is it happening again?"

Phillip was laughing behind him. "Nothing is wrong, Mom. I think Matty had a very good day at school. A girl kissed him. That's why he looks like that."

His mother's face changed from worry to amusement. "What? A girl kissed you? Which girl? C'mon let's sit on the couch. You can tell me what happened."

Phillip came with them. "Oh my god Mom, it was so cute. The girl asked him out for coffee and then kissed him on the cheek. I had to help him say yes though. He looked like Lee when Aunt Lillian and grandma gang up on him."

Their mother laughed, "He still kind of does. Do you not want to go out with this girl?"

Matty looked at his mother. He signed, "I do, but why does she like me? She said I have nice eyes. I've never been on a date before mom. She is not going to like me anymore when we go out. She will realize what a freak I really am."

"Oh my gosh what girl wouldn't like you? You are smart, sweet and wonderful. And you really do have the most beautiful expressive eyes, sweet boy. They are just like your daddy's eyes except for the color. I think this girl has good taste. You are not a freak. I don't like that the kids in your other school called you that and I don't like it when you call yourself that."

Just then his grandma walked in the house. "Just saw that Matty came home from school. I wanted to know how it went. Uh oh what happened?"

Phillip started laughing again, "The girls are throwing themselves at Matty already, Grandma. It was so cute. She asked him out and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. Little dude is like Lee. He doesn't even have to try, the girls just come to him."

Their grandmother grinned, "Oh really? Who is she? Do we know her?"

Matty was not sure he should say her last name. So, he just signed that her name was Rachel.

Then Phillip started laughing even harder. "Oh my god. I thought she looked familiar. She's just older. Jessie's older sister Rachel? Lee is going to love that you are dating a Gilstrap girl."

Matty tapped on his mom. "It's just coffee. I am not even sure it's a date. I have never even been on a date before. I don't even know what to do."

His mom pulled him into her. "Oh, sweet boy. You will be fine. I will give you some extra money tomorrow so you can pay for her coffee. I remember Rachel. She is a very nice little girl. Jessie is too. Your father and sister were a little harsh with Jessie. But they are both very protective of you. Now how did the rest of the school day go?"

Matty signed, "It was strange. Everyone was very nice to me. Davy Ferguson was saying super nice things about me to the other kids. Davy and I probably would be better friends, but he is scared of dad. Then there was this guy, Jeff Kenwood who I think may be one of the most popular kids in school. Being Phillip's brother may actually have worked because he is in the Phillip fan club. And most of my teachers were happy that me going there means you are going to be involved with the school again. They all really like you, Mom."

His mom pulled him closer to her, "I'm glad, sweet boy. I will talk to your dad again about being nicer to the Ferguson's. I always liked Davy too. I just feel bad we did not send you to regular school right away. I should have caught on that something was wrong sooner when we sent you to the Fairfax high school for the deaf last year."

Matty nodded, "Yeah well, the Fairfax middle school for the deaf was alright. I probably would have been fine if Warren Ziegler never transferred to the school. If he had just left me alone and had been scared of me like the other kids. He just wouldn't stop, and I really didn't mean to break Warren's nose, Mom. He and his cronies just jumped me. Sometimes I forget I am a lot bigger than I used to be. I know I ruined my chances of ever getting into a good college because I got expelled."

His mom smiled, "Believe me you will be fine. You only got kicked out of school, one time. Your father got kicked out of at least five different schools that I know of. And well I am not entirely sure you even would have gotten expelled for what you did. I think your daddy punching the principal is what really got you expelled. But even if you hadn't you should have told us sooner how horrible the kids were being to you at that school."

Phillip spoke, "If you want to go to Georgetown. I am sure my dad will help you. He knows a lot of people there. I would help you, but I almost got kicked out of Georgetown for gambling. You are better off using my dad's connections. Or you could go to NYU too. Jamie is beloved at NYU. Except you would have to hang out with the art nerds all the time. There's always the Air Force Academy, if nobody else. The Colonel loves you. He already has an exception for your hearing ready to go. You just won't be able to fly planes. Oh and Mr. Aquinas too. He has connections to all the schools. You'll be fine, little dude."

Then his grandmother ruffled Matty's hair. "I think everything is going to work out for you, dear. I can't wait until your father finds out you are dating Rachel Gilstrap. Can I be the one that tells him, Amanda?"

His mother smiled, "I think Matty is nervous enough right now. If he goes on a second date with her. We will tell Lee that her last name is Gilstrap. Have you talked to Irene yet today, Phillip?"

Phillip nodded, "Yep, it's just one baby this time. Thank God. How were the little monsters for you, mom?"

Their mother smiled, "Oh they were good. Leann went with them to your house. I will come pick her up around 8."

Phillip nodded, "Sounds good, mom. Well, I better be off. Catch you later, family."

Then his grandmother spoke, "Well I have a date tonight. So, I will be heading out as well. I am very glad school went well for you today, my sweet angel."
It was just his mom and him. He snuggled into his mom on the couch. His mom started playing with his hair. They were quiet for a while.

Matty tapped on his mother. "Do you think when I get the surgery next month. It will make me normal? That I will be like the other kids?"

His mom kissed his head. "You are more normal than you think. That terrible school just did a number on your self-esteem. I really do want you to tell your father and I if things start getting bad again. Ok?"

Matty nodded yes. "I just didn't say anything because I didn't want you or dad to worry about me. Everyone just is so overprotective of me all the time. I just didn't want to cause more problems. Have you worry more."

"I am your mother, sweet boy. It is my job to worry about you. We all just love you so much. You are so much like your daddy."

Matty tapped on her, "I miss him. I am glad he is coming back tomorrow. I am also glad that you are the one taking me to school tomorrow. Do you want to come to coffee with Rachel & I?"

His mother laughed, "Oh sweet boy. Even I know that taking your mother on a first date is not a good way to get a second date."

Matty nodded, "Yeah but I wouldn't want to take grandma on a date either. She will be picking out the wedding cakes. But your cool, mom. All the kids like you."

"How about I just wait out in the parking lot in case your date goes badly? I don't think it will though."

Matty smiled. "Thanks mom. That would work."

The next day -

Matty went to his second day of Arlington High school. Everyone was still nice to him. Jeff Kenwood was the nicest. Matty was pretty sure he actually was making a real friend. Matty invited Jeff to come over on the weekend. He knew his parents would not mind. They would probably be thrilled Matty had an actual friend coming over. It felt really nice being accepted. He did not want to get used to the feeling because he did feel like the other shoe was going to drop at any time.

After school he met Rachel in the parking lot. He did not see his mom's car in the coffee shop's parking lot yet. But his mom was always ten minutes late to everything.

Rachel came over to him smiling. "Hi Matty. Are you ready?"

Then Rachel grabbed his hand in hers and they walked across the street holding hands. Matty had never held a girl's hand before. Not like this. It felt kind of nice. They ordered their coffee and sat in a booth.

Then Rachel said, "What's it like? Being deaf? That's why you can't speak right?"

Matty wrote on his white board. "I don't really remember not being deaf. It just always was that way. I am getting surgery at the beginning of October. They may be able to restore partial hearing in my left ear. If that doesn't work. We may look into a cochlear implant. But if this surgery works, I could use just a regular hearing aid."

Rachel was looking at him. "That's interesting. Why didn't you get this surgery sooner?"

Matty smiled, "I don't really like hospitals all that much. And well I used to not care that I was deaf. Lip reading is pretty easy. And my whole family just figured out other ways for us to talk. Just when I got picked on so much at my last school. I kind of just want to be normal now."

Rachel was looking at him dreamily. "You are so brave and cool. Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

Matty felt his whole face go red. He was not expecting that response to him telling her why he was getting surgery.

He wrote on his whiteboard "I have never been anyone's boyfriend before."

Rachel smiled at him. "Well, you can be mine if you want."

Then she leaned over the table and kissed him on the lips. Matty had never kissed a girl before. He was glad he couldn't speak because he had no idea what to say or do next. He needed help.

He wrote on his whiteboard. "Be right back." He ran out into the parking lot and saw his mom sitting in the Wagoneer. She saw him and came out of the car. "Everything ok? What's the matter sweet boy?"

Matty tapped on his mom. "She likes me, mom. She just kissed me on the lips. She wants me to be her boyfriend. Help. I don't know what I am supposed to do or say now."

His mother started laughing. "Oh my gosh. You are so cute. If I go in there. It might ruin the moment."

Matty tapped on his mom. "I think I already did by running out here to get my mommy. Help me, mom."

His mom went back in the coffee shop with him. She came over to the table. "Hi Rachel." Rachel smiled at his mom, "Hi Mrs. Stetson. Are you here to pick Matty up?"

His mom smiled. "Yes, I am but I can go and wait in the car until you kids finish your coffee. I just wanted to let you know I was here. I also thought I would grab a coffee while I waited in the car. It is nice to see you again, Rachel."

Matty tapped on his mom. "Please stay, mom."

His mom tapped back. "You can do this. Trust me."

Rachel smiled at his mom, "You too, Mrs. Stetson. It is nice seeing you again. Jessie misses you all. Maybe if I start dating Matty. I can help repair the relationship between her and Leann."

That's why she wanted to go out with him. It was for her little sister. Matty thought to himself. Well as scary as this was. If he could get Leann and Jessie to be friends again since it was his fault, they weren't friends anymore in the first place. Matty liked Rachel.

His mom squeezed his shoulder. Then she walked over to the counter and ordered a coffee. She waved at them as she went back to the car.

Then Matty wrote, "Sorry for freaking out a little. Nobody has ever asked me to be their boyfriend. I think I would like that if you still wanted to. Even though I ran and got my mommy. Even my mom thought that was uncool."

Rachel laughed. "I thought it was kind of cute. I think you are really cute, and you seem really nice. I don't know why people are so afraid of you. Yes, I still want you to be my boyfriend, so you want to take me to Goofy Golf or something this weekend?"

Matty nodded yes. Then he wrote, "I will try and get better at this. Maybe after Goofy Golf. I will figure out where to take you for our third date and ask you out for a change."

Rachel laughed. Then she came over and kissed him again. This kiss lasted longer and felt incredible.

"I would like that. I have to get going. Bye Matty." Rachel left.

Matty left the coffee shop and headed to the Wagoneer. His mother was looking at him and was laughing at him again. "So, the look on your face is telling me the date went well. She kissed you again, didn't she? "

Matty looked at his mom, "Yeah how can you tell?"

His mom grinned, "Your dad has that same kind of cute little smile sometimes after I kiss him. Gosh, I can't wait to tell him that you are dating a Gilstrap girl."

Matty looked at her worriedly. "Do you think he'll be mad at me?"

His mom laughed, "When has your father ever been mad at you? I don't think I've ever even heard him even raise his voice at you. He has at the other three kids but not you. You're his baby. Even when you got in trouble for breaking Warren's nose. He was more proud of you than angry. I really don't think there is anything in the world you could do that would make him angry at you. Even if you were to marry a Gilstrap girl and join the air force. He will still love you."

Matty looked at his mom. "I am not going to marry Rachel Gilstrap. I am just going to go to Goofy Golf with her on Sunday. Oh, and mom is it ok if Jeff Kenwood comes over on Saturday? "

She smiled at him, "Oh my gosh, yes. Is that little Bobby Kenwood's baby brother? We used to have to chase little Bobby out of the tree house so much. Oh, that is so nice you are making friends."

Matty nodded, "Jeff is a really nice guy. He really likes soccer too. I wanted to show him the sports package dad got for the tv and my David Beckham autograph. He is in the Phillip fan club though. We might all have to listen to all of Phillip's sports stats."

His mother laughed, "Well, I am sure Phillip will come over too if you invite him. He likes it when he has his little high school fans. He really should have been the one that got famous not Jamie. Jamie hates the attention."

Notes:

Next chapter - Lee comes home. Amanda tells him about Matty's date. Leann and Joey get followed by some mysterious men in the park.