Dont call me a fool ((OPEN))

[Shane Williams]

Shane was bored, that was where this whole mess started... that it should be remember was the down fall of the whole afternoon. He'd been having some problems the last few days with his guitar not feeling right, the vibrations were off. That to him was the tell tale sign that he needed to take it in to be tuned. But there was snow on the ground and Shane really hadn't felt like tromping down to the music store to pay for it. Not when he was now learning to hear and figured this would be the perfect chance to practice hearing and tuning his guitar... It couldn't be THAT hard could it? He'd seen his dad and sister do it a million time for him.

Well it was now a good hour later, Shane had gone through an entire pack of back up strings from over tightening or not tightening correctly, he wasn't sure. All he knew was he was on his last set of strings and his adventure had scared away several individuals that had been using the space. Watching the electric tuner again he plucked the A string and listened to identify the pitch. Surely this one was right this time.

[Angela Chambers]

It hadn’t been a particularly bad day. But it hadn’t been a great one in Angie’s opinion. The simple fact that a teacher had forced her to stand up and talk in front of the class… It had worn her nerves. As she stood up, talking in front of everybody, her face had turned a bright red and she had felt a tad woozy. Hands down the worst part of it though was when the teacher interrupted her and said she needed to speak louder and more clearly.

The young girl was having a hard enough time talking to people she didn’t know, let alone an entire classroom filled with them. And she hardly realized anymore when she spoke that it was often quiet and mumbled. So when somebody pointed it out, the embarrassment she felt was indescribable.

And that was her exact reasoning for collecting her sketchbook, a few colored pencils, and then heading to the student lounge. More than anything, drawing faces and people was the closest that the young girl ever felt to being relaxed.

But upon arriving there, the lounge was practically empty. She’d only seen it this empty once before. And that was when everybody was away over winter break. It was easy enough to make her decision on who to sketch though. The boy with the guitar. She liked guitars and always liked the idea of learning to play one.

She sat across from the boy, trying to be discreet about the fact that she was watching him. But as she became more engrossed in him, the more obvious it was that she was watching. He seemed to be having a hard time with… whatever it was he was doing with his instrument. After hesitating a moment and chewing her lip, she leaned forward and said, “Do you mind if I ask what you’re doing?”

[Shane Williams]

Shane was getting ready to give up and return to his room, pay the costs to get his guitar re-tuned correctly when a girl sat across from him. Shane glanced at her once and resolved to trying juuuuust ONCE more. 'pluck' adjust 'pluck' adjust 'pluck' adjust, the string fell into the electric tuners sweet spot and Shane grinned moving to the next one 'pluck' cringe major adjustment 'pluck'. There was movement that caught his attention as the girl leaned forward. Training and instinct made Shane focus on her lips rather than the entirety of her as she asked what he was doing. His face fell into a snicker as he shook his head. Exhaling heavily he reached in his bag for a small flip note book and a pen.

"Trying to tune my guitar... it's not going soo well I'm afraid. I am sorry if I am disturbing you, I can do up to my dorm. I'm about ready to give up any hows".

Shane handed the girl the note pad and waited studying her for a brief moment. She seemed to have a sketch book and implements of drawing. Had she planned on drawing him or something else in the room, was it a hobby or homework?? Now Shane was intrigued.

[Angela Chambers]

His reaction to her question… Well she thought he was annoyed at her for bothering him. At least that’s what she took from him snickering and sighing. Feeling embarrassed, her cheeks turned bright and she sat back in the chair she’d taken. Though, despite feeling as if she were being laughed at, Angie was still going to sketch him.

She couldn’t not. Especially since he had the guitar. And his curly hair. Curly hair was always more fun to draw in her opinion. It added more character to the sketch.

Noticing the notebook he was holding towards her, she leaned forward again, taking it with a perplexed look on her face. As she read the note, her eyebrows pushed together, so much so they almost looked like one. Why had he writt-

Her eyes growing wide, she looked back at him. Smiling. An actual, big smile. Dropping the notebook he’d handed her into her lap. He didn’t speak, that much was obvious. And she could almost feel her excitement building.

Raising her hands up, she pointed at the boy across from her with her right hand, ‘you’. Then with both her hands, made circular motions with her index finger, the left going clockwise and the right counter clockwise. This being the sign for ‘sign’ as a verb.

It made her happier than she had been in a while to sign again. And while hoping the boy needed sign language wasn’t exactly… Nice of her, she did. It made her think of her brother and just how much she missed him.

[Shane Williams]

Shane watched the confusion wash over the girls face, perhaps it's was a little odd but Shane enjoyed that moment of confusion when a person tries to figure out why he's either texting them or handing over a note book. For him it was a guessing game as to if they'll turn that confusion to understanding or disgust. Thankfully here at Hammel, the disgust was rare... even still Shane was thrilled then the third emotion came over her face. He returned her smile as she started roughly signing back. Her form was raw but there was passion in her face. Setting his guitar in it's case, Shane shifted to better face her.

Yes I do, greetings my name is Shane.

Shane kept his pace even and smooth slowing from his normal pace. He could loose even his mother on occasion when he really got going.

You draw? I never could get the hang of sketching.

[Angela Chambers]

Having taught herself sign language, for the sake of her brother, Angie’s skill wasn’t great. But it was her one skill that she took great pleasure in knowing and thinking her ability was better than it actually was. Even though she was over confident in her skill, she could still hold her own when having a conversation. And his signing was easy enough to follow. Though, she didn’t realize he was slowing for her benefit.

Hi Shane. I’m Angie.

Her excitement was clear. She was moving her fingers a tad fast and had to start over when she fingerspelled her name to him. But messing up didn’t fluster her like messing up at other times did. Sign language was… Well to her it was like a secret language. Her parents had never bothered to learn. So when talking with her brother or sister, they never knew what they were saying. She did blush a little though when he asked about her drawing though, since she’d intended on drawing him mostly.

Doodle mostly. Drawing is for people with skill.

And she was embarrassed when she forgot the sign for skill. But she settled for finger spelling. As for her drawing ability, she was being modest. She’d taken multiple art classes at her previous school and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Sorry. I haven’t signed in a while. And I’m really excited.

At least the excited part was clear. The big smile on her face would otherwise be creepy.

[Shane Williams]

Shanes face had a permanent calm and encouraging grin as he watched her hands go. How quickly he'd gone from bored and frustrated to enraptured and intrigued.

It's nice to meet you, I understand about the drawing, I only play around on this thing

He had a hunch she was being modest about the sketchbook but it was only a feeling and he could understand not being forward about a skill. Shane smiled at his guitar remembering the first few people to learn that a deaf mute could play guitar. But then again perhaps they were just doodles and a passing hobby. Shane wasn't going to judge her on it.

Don't apologize, your doing great. I've heard it's not an easy language to learn... course it's the only language I know. May I ask how you learned? It always makes me curious why someone who can communicate normally chooses to learn sign language... not that I don't appreciate it Shane's face pinkened just a little as his hands stuttered. He hoped he hasn't offended her what he'd said was truth.

[Angela Chambers]

To say Angie was a little jealous of anybody who could play a musical instrument was kind of true. In the sense that it was more than just a little. Not that she’d become the green eyed jealous monster though.

I always wanted to learn. But music is not my strong suit. How long have you been playing?

She really wanted ask how difficult it was for him to play. Her brother didn’t play any instruments. Well, he didn’t when she saw him last at least. But she didn’t think that would change anytime soon though. That being said, she knew that often people who were hard of hearing or entirely deaf relied on feeling vibrations. Still though… It must’ve made it more difficult no? What stopped her was the thought that he might be offended.

Angie’s cheeks turned into a light shade of pink when he said she was doing well. Coming from somebody who signed as their main way of communication, she took that as a great compliment. You’re being kind. But thank you.

I taught myself from books. My brother was born deaf. And my parents… She stalled for a moment. It could easily be mistaken for her trying to remember the way to sign something. But Angie was unsure of what to say. She didn’t want to outright lie to him. But she settled for a half-truth. They’re older and have trouble picking it up. My sister and I had an easier time picking it up.

She took no offense whatsoever to him asking. It seemed like a perfectly normal question. One she’d been asked many times before actually and expected to be asked probably for as long as… Well probably forever.

[Shane Williams]

Shane smiled when she started talking about the music. I've played for as long as i can remember, my father is a music teacher and I use to love sitting in his room and feeling the vibrations. He was always very patient so first I learned piano then guitar. We tried the drums but that didn't work... Shane grinned shaking his head slightly. I can teach you actually... but it's very hands on teaching since well I can't tell you what to do.

She turned a shade of pink and Shane attributed it the compliment he's paid her. Shaking his head he never stopped smiling. No really you're doing good, I won't lie and say your amazing or pro... but you have enough to communicate which is more than half the population remember that. If all you've talked to is someone that is learning as well than your form is amazing. How old is your brother now? It's great you learned to talk to him, not everyone will.

Shane was thrilled to have some one to talk to that was still learning... call it a thing of his, he couldn't help enjoying teaching. Cat was catching on so quickly that she no longer needed the same guidance, not that he didn't enjoy talking to her too... there was just something about talking to someone new and watching them learn... god he hoped he'd never have to explain that to anyone.. he was sure he'd end up insulting someone.

[Angela Chambers]

Since he brought it up, Angie thought perhaps it might be alright to ask. She was curious after all. Perhaps even too curious. But she knew how it was for herself and her siblings. But that didn’t really mean it was the same for everybody else. I don’t mean to be rude and ask, but how exactly did he teach you? I imagine it would’ve been difficult. For both of you. Of course, she was assuming his father was able to hear. But the fact that Shane had said he had been patient led her to it.

Nobody in my family has any musical talent so I’ve always been a little curious. She really did hope he wouldn’t be offended. And she offered up that piece of information about herself and her family in hopes that if he was, he would understand. If he were, she’d be absolutely mortified. If you were willing to teach me, I would love to learn. And the excitement on her face, with wide eyes and big smile, indicated just how much she would really love to.

Angie took comfort in the fact that he assured her he wasn’t lying. Because if he had called her a pro, she would’ve known that he REALLY was. But she was pleased with herself for doing as well as he said. Thanks. My brother just turned seven a few months ago. It’s all my sister and I did for months though. When we found out. Anything we said, we’d also sign. And we sign what other people are saying for him. He’s having a bit of trouble reading peoples lips. But he’s still so young. He’ll get the hang of it eventually.

That she was sure of. Her brother was smart and usually picked up on things quickly enough. So she didn’t worry much about him learning to read lips. Plus there was so much more that you could do. She’d tried walking around once with her ears stuffed with cotton balls. She doubted it was entirely the same, but she couldn’t understand people when they spoke. But she only did it for a day, not liking being unable to hear things around her. To her, it was a bit unnerving. But it did make her more aware of peoples body language. At least just a little.

[Shane Williams]

Shane thought of how to put it for a few moments, he decided what he wanted to say was better written than formed for her. I'm going to write it out then let you read it and then I'll sign it because some of the words might be a little too difficult. Well its like a language I suppose, I learned the alphabet first meaning how to read the pages and what the pages meant, then I learned to connect the letters to words, I learned which note on the page connected to what key on the piano but it didn't provide the same vibration feedback that I felt when my dad played guitar so we did that one next. I was about 9 when dad started teaching me that... long hours of sitting next to him so he could put my hands exactly where they belonged. It's easier I think to learn when you can't hear than if you can. You don't get lost on the sounds, then once you have the foundations you can practice the specifics. My dad said that my form was fundamentally better faster than his other students even if I sounded worse during the beginning.

Shane loved the way her eyes lite up when she accepted his offer to learn. He still remembered the last person he taught and was a little nervous the same would happen but could also accept that not everyone was like that.

Shane nodded gentle He will, reading lips is very hard but it's a trait he will have to learn, be sure when you talk to him that you talk and sign that will help him learn faster. Shane remembered vividly learning how to read lips, he also remembered the first time he'd 'spoken' to someone who didn't speak english and trying to lip read that was just horrible. Same went for the nurse that barely spoke english, her mouth just didn't form the words right and confused him greatly.

[Angela Chambers]

Angie nodded when Shane said would be writing down his explanation. Honestly, she was grateful for that. It’d been months since she’d signed last. It pleased her that it was something like that old saying ‘it’s like riding a bike’. She remembered it well, but considered herself a bit rusty. As anybody would be if they went a long period of time using a language they’d learned.

Reading the note he’d written out, she realized Shane kind of had a knack for explaining things. She’d never thought of music as it’s own kind of language before. But she supposed it made sense. Of course, when she was younger, she’d taken the mandatory music class like everybody had to. But she hardly considered the recorder an actual instrument, thinking it was probably made specifically for little kids to try to learn to be at least a little musical.

Nodding, she signed to him again. I’ve never thought of reading or playing music as a separate language before... Glancing back at the note again, but it makes sense. And she nodded, because she wondered if more people saw it that way than perhaps learning to play would be easier for some to learn. She did try not to giggle at the very last part of his note, but she did smile. Giggling would have been horridly rude. But she just thought it ironic. Though, she supposed fundamentals of any instrument had nothing to do with the actual sound of the music.

I’m confident he’ll learn eventually. It’s not really… a choice he has. We live in a small town and there wasn’t anybody around who was deaf or hard of hearing. Well, not that wasn’t really really old at least. But there is a teacher there who signs. He’s kind of taken my brother under his wing to help as best he can. She still thought it would be nice for her brother to know another person who was in the same boat that he was in.

I don’t want to be pushy, but when do you think you could start teaching me? I’ll see want I can do about getting myself a guitar. The girl was excited to be learning to play a musical instrument. That much was easily read from the expression on her face, her wide smile and eyes. It was step in the right direction of the kind of person she wished to be, learning new and different things.