Someone Else's Ocean(72)

I was weeks away from thirty years old and had just found my first love.

And my soulmate.

But not my forever.

The front door opened as I lit a candle, and Ian and Ella appeared. I waved my hello frantically and Ella rushed to my side. We both hesitated briefly before we hugged.

I took my time signing my greeting.

I’m so happy you are here.

She began frantically signing as her father corrected her while talking. He made a fist with one hand and slid spaced fingers over it toward him.

“Slow, Ella. She’s only been doing this for two weeks.”

She turned back to me and signed with the letter S rubbing her chest.

Sorry.

I signed back.

It’s okay.

She spoke then. “We can practice more while I’m here.”

“I would love that.”

“Can I see the puppy?”

“Of course.” I moved to the bedroom where I had locked Disco in so I could mop the floors and jumped out of my skin when Ella shrieked. Ian had told me Ella was unbelievably loud at times. I shook my head at my foolish reaction and Ian gave a wink. “It’s okay, beautiful. She startles me too at times.”

“You aren’t allowed to talk when you know she can’t hear you. It’s disrespectful.”

“I can’t call you beautiful in front of her.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Right. It’s bad manners. You must have a good teacher.”

“He’s the best.” I managed to sign that part and Ella caught it.

“Who is the best?”

“Your dad, for teaching me.”

She lifted her hands. I’ll be a better teacher.

“I bet.”

I poked her shoulder to get her attention as she fawned over the dog. Do you like… I took my time spelling out pot roast because I had no idea what the sign was. I was only halfway through the letters when she nodded.

“You knew what I was signing?”

She nodded again. “Of course.”

“Wow. I hope I get that sharp with the language.”

“You will,” Ian assured.

We sat at the table as Ian and Ella went back and forth signing while talking at the same time so I could understand their conversation. I felt oddly emotional as I watched their interaction. It was like watching the most important part of Ian in those moments with his daughter. Their love was palpable, their relationship completely unique. They were close, as close as two people could be within the boundaries of a parent/child relationship. Although close with my own father, we never talked so candidly. Ian had told me that deaf people don’t often beat around the bush and can sometimes come off as brash or rude, but most were just naturally and brutally honest. Since my classes with Ian started, I’d been learning a little about the deaf culture and it had only piqued my curiosity.

“You are such an asshole, Daddy,” Ella said, leaving me with wide eyes to gauge his reaction. Ian didn’t seem offended in the least which made me laugh. They both looked at me with matching grins.

“What?” Ella asked.

“You just called your dad an asshole. And while I agree, I’m surprised you get away with it.”

“Not nice,” Ian scolded me before he looked at Ella. “Do you want to tell the story?”

Ella nodded. “If I speak funny, tell me, okay?”

“You sound perfect.” I signed the word good.

“Don’t lie, Koti, that doesn’t help me grow.”

I sat shocked but then nodded. “Okay, you sound pretty damn good for someone who’s never heard a single sound.”

She immediately turned to Ian. “I like her.”

“Me too,” he said, his eyes darkening as he looked over at me. I felt the blush creep up my cheeks.

Ella picked up on the chemistry. “You two are more than friends. When are you going to break it to me?”

I choked on a sip of water as Ian shook his head and spoke. “Tell the story, brat.”

“Okay fine.” Ella turned to me. “He wanted dad to be my first sign. He spent a long time trying his best to make me do it.”

I stuck my thumb to my forehead the rest of my fingers pointing up at the ceiling and then pulled it away a half inch.

“Close, you don’t have to touch your forehead with your thumb, but yes, that’s the sign for dad.”

I nodded.

“From what Daddy says, I wasn’t good at lifting my thumb up to reach my forehead and instead of having my finger straight out… I’ll show you.” She took my hand and closed my thumb and pointer in a circle while leaving the other fingers open and spaced apart.

“This is the sign for asshole, isn’t it?”

Ella laughed so loudly next to me I fought myself to keep from jumping in my seat.

“Yes. I’ve been calling him an asshole since I was little, and he got used to it.”

“It was the only time I was ever happy she couldn’t talk,” Ian said with an embarrassed shake of his head.

“But you made sure I knew how to say it,” Ella said with a giggle.

“Yes, I did.” He was a proud dad, it leaked out of his every pore. I briefly wondered what it would be like to raise another human being. I never imagined it for myself, but Ian had done it. And from what I could tell, he’d done it well.