Nathan Mann
Before Teddy’s mom goes, she teaches Jacob and his mom three signs.
- Thank you.
- You’re welcome.
- More.
Teddy can lip-read. But his mom worries. This is his first playdate. She leaves, turns onto the logging road, disappears.
Jacob leads Teddy inside to his action figures. They play quietly with the men, pointing to talk.
That man.
That man.
They should fight.
They play until all the men are dead.
Jacob wants Teddy to have fun because their school can be mean. He gives his friend a thumbs up. Teddy nods, signs thank you. Jacob’s heart is happy.
The wallpaper in the living room is faded. Teddy likes it. Climbing vines. Blue flowers. He traces the leaves with his finger and then taps Jacob’s mom. He gives her a thumbs up. She says “thank you” with her lips and then remembers to sign.
You’re welcome, he says.
Teddy feels like the house is perfect. It is warm with sunny windows and wallpaper, and he wants to explore every room and stay forever. Maybe Mom can, too. He wants to ask Jacob.
Jacob puts on the album that Teddy selected from the CD rack. The speakers crackle. Jacob turns them up halfway. Jacob sits on his bed and listens for the both of them. Teddy copies him, holds his head sideways, and signs more.
At full volume, the bed shakes. The window squeaks against the A/C. Jacob’s mom yells that he’s in trouble, but he can’t turn it down. Teddy is dancing. He bobs his head to the thundering bass. Teddy can hear. Jacob will show Teddy’s mom the impossible. Teddy can hear.
They go outside. Jacob tugs him around and points. The birds?
No.
The chimes?
No.
The whirring AC?
No.
They stand by the road and wait for a logging truck. Jacob holds up a finger, touches his ear. Teddy knows patience.
A truck bounces by, and Jacob pumps his arm. The truck tumbles on.
Did you hear that?
Yes.
The horn?
It was fainter than the rumble Teddy felt in the bedroom. The happy buzz. But it was there. He points to his chest. Here.
They find a dead deer beside the road, its chest caved in.
The truck? asks Teddy.
Yes, says Jacob. His mom would be angry if they touched it.
Rain comes and goes and leaves puddles in the logging road. Jacob and Teddy play. They splash, fling mud. Jacob’s mom is angry. She waves them inside, and Teddy obeys.
Jacob sits in a puddle alone, his eyes closed, his fingers in his ears. He needs to understand how Teddy hears so he can tell Teddy’s mom. He sinks into the mud, opens his heart to the world. A buzzing fills his chest. He pushes his fingers deeper.
More.
Pebbles shake.
More.
Jacob sinks into the mud, feels the music in his body, as the logging truck nears.