~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~(Brians hotel room)
''You know what's weird Brian?''
''What?''
"I really like Alex."
"How's that weird? By the way, who's Alex?"
"She's Marisa's sister."
''Oh, the deaf girl."
"Yes, the deaf girl, as you put it."
"I didn't mean for it to sound that way."
"Sure, but she's smart, she's pretty, she's nice, she's funny, she's gone through a lot in her life which must mean shes really strong, she's just wonderful. But yet, her disability is what I live for."
"What do you mean?"
"She can't hear. The only thing I do is making music for people to listen to. It's really weird if you think about it."
"That is kinda weird. But if you like her, go for it, you'll at least learn sign language outta the deal if it doesnt work out."
"Thanks for the encouragement."
"You know I'm only kidding."
"I know." I went over to my laptop and logged on-line. I put sign language in my start up pages search blank. I hit the search button. I spent the rest of the night learning simple things I could tell Alex in the morning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~(the next day)
It was time for shooting my part, which meant the shoot was almost over. Marisa was here, but no sign of Alex. I had been busy all morning so I didnt have a chance to talk to Marisa. Four hours later I heard Thats a wrap, were done! from the director and I went right over to Marisa.
"Where's Alex today?"
"She's here. She just went outside, you didn't see her?"
"Well, if I did would I be asking where she was?"
"Smart ass."
"I know. Do you know where she was going?"
"She said she had to go get something from the car."
"Ok." I speed walked to the parking lot outside the studio. I saw her opening the car door. I ran up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi," I said. She waved hi back. "Let's see if I remember this now." She looked at me like she didn't know what the heck I was talking about. I signed 'how are you?'
She smiled and signed something back. 'What?' I signed, I made sure I remembered that one. She rolled her eyes and motioned for a pen. I grabbed the paper I had put in my pocket that morning. Stupid me, I forgot a pen. "I dont have a pen," I said. She motioned for be right back. She turned around and started searching in her
car. She came out with a green gel pen.
Good, she wrote.
Thats good, I wrote back.
Well, Im as good as I'll get. Your video looks like it'll be cool.
Thanks.
How'd you know how to sign that?
I studied last night.
How sweet!
I know.
Dont push it.
Ok, I won't....today. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Well, the reason I followed you out here was to ask you something.
What?
Well, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go do something sometime.
You mean as friends or as, well, more than friends?
Depends how things work out and how you feel.
We could start as friends and see what happens.
Thats fine. Do you have an e-mail address, then I could get a hold of you.
Yeah, its superstar34@netins.com
Ok, Ill e-mail you tonight. By 7 oclock, check it.
Do you have Instant Messenger?
What kind?
MSN.
Yes.
I do too, just enter my address and Ill log on at 7 and we can talk, ok?
Ok.
Marisa's coming, I gotta go.
Ok. Bye.
Watch me. I looked up from the paper and saw her sign something.
What was that? I tried to repeat the hand movements.
It's 'I have to leave, see you later.'
Oh. Well, talk to you tonight at 7, ok?
Ok.
Marisa tapped her on the shoulder signed and said,
"Ready to go?" Alex signed something back. "That means not really but I guess I have to go," Marisa told me. I laughed. "I always say what I'm signing to her because sometimes it's easier to read lips for her."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, because she used to be able to hear, you know?"
"Yeah, I know."
"You should try reading lips sometime. Watch the TV on mute. It's really hard for me but Alex can do it no problem."
"I know she can. Maybe sometime you can teach me to know sign language. Then I can actually have a conversation with Alex thats not on paper."
"When are you free?"
"Tomorrow maybe?"
"Sure, early or late?"
"Morning would be best."
"Tomorrow at 9 sound good?''
"Yeah, where?"
"How about we meet at my favorite little coffee shop and we can decide if we want to go somewhere else from there?"
"Where's it at?"
"Corner of 18th and San Martin. Across from Kwik Star."
"Ok, tomorrow at 9."
"Dont be late.''
"Don't worry." Marisa got into their car where Alex was already waiting.
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