Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  Suddenly, I felt self conscious and blushed, which just made her smile and blush a bit too. I looked down bashfully. What? Bashfully? I'm Mandy fucking Harris, I'm not bashful! "After I speak with Mrs. Wellington I was thinking about..." I was interrupted by a single soft finger raising my chin up so she could meet my eyes, she tilted her head, giggling a little as I melted a little.

  In a slightly shy voice she interjected, "Sorry, could you say that again, I couldn't see your lips." This confused me a little, but I was more than happy to look upon the face of this angel.

  "I was saying that, after I speak with Mrs. Wellington, I was thinking about getting lunch, I haven't eaten anything today and am famished. I'd love it if you and your sister could join me. I don't know many people in town anymore and I don't want to get flooded with fans. I'd rather eat with some friendly faces."

  From the corner of my eye, I could barely see the door open from my angle, and a cute little redheaded girl covered in adorable freckles, who could only be Zoey, walked quickly in yelling "Auntie Ana! Auntie Ana!" with Sarina and Eve right behind. I found it a little odd that Anabella ignored Zoey until she was tugging on her dress from behind.

  Anabella looked down with a dazzling smile that must be reserved specifically for Zoey, and the little one blurted out, "Auntie Ana! Can we go get ice cream now!?" doing motions with her hands at the same time.

  Anabella tilted her head and kicked her smile into ultra-hi-beams and replied. "Of course my little ladybug." She signed with her hands at the same time. She then timidly looked over to me as I started putting two and two together. Am I really that dense? How did I not notice? I looked the question into her eyes and she bit her bottom lip. I melted, again. How does she do that? Come on, where are my damn shields?

  "Oh, sorry M. Did I not mention that I'm deaf?" Her face was full of mirth on the verge of laughing, although her eyes held something else. A fear of something, a fear of... me? That thought pained me for some reason.

  I laughed. A real heartfelt laugh. "No, I guess that tidbit slipped your mind." Now the wall of sound she danced in made more sense. She looked like she was feeling the music because she literally was. I've never seen anyone experience my music like that before. A warm smile crossed my lips at the memory.

  Anabella dropped her gaze to the floor, and voiced what I read in her eyes seconds ago. "I... I just didn't want you to look at me differently, or pity me. That always hurts." God that almost broke my heart right then and there. Now it was my turn to place a finger on her chin and raise her gaze.

  "Look at me Bella. Listen to me." The irony of my words was not wasted on me. "You are the exact same wonderful person I was just enjoying a conversation with a minute ago. Nothing has changed." I reinforced it with my eyes, then she smiled and replied. "Did you just call me Bella?" Was I too familiar? "Yes, sorry..." I started but she interrupted with a soul soothing smile. "No... I like it."

  Then she spoke and signed toward Sarina without breaking eye contact with me until she was done. "M here was just asking if we wanted to have lunch with her after she speaks with Mrs. W. Whatdaya say big sis?" Then turned for Sarina's response.

  Sarina looked like a kid on Christmas who was about to burst from excitement, looking back and forth between us, then said and signed, "Sure! That sounds like fun!” Then she tilted her head motioning toward me with her eyes, a goofy grin on her face as she kept signing without talking.

  Anabella just about exploded, turning beet red in embarrassment. "Oh my God sis! Shut up!", then frowning at her laughing sister and added, "And it's rude to sign in front of this beautiful woman when she doesn't know what you're saying!" Ha! Take that Sarina, Bella is defending me! Wait, what? Beautiful woman? Stop friggin' making me melt you evil, evil woman!

  Sarina caught everything that just played across my face and winked with nothing but mischief in her eyes. Did I mention, I really like their family? Damn them. The room erupted in laughter as a tiny frantic voice chimed in with a flurry of hand signs. “And ice cream! Don't forget the ice cream.”

  Chapter 2 – Ice Cream

  I only had a couple minutes to catch up with Mrs. Wellington “Call me Meg” “Yes Mrs. Wellington.” before her next student arrived. We parted with a promise of me coming in the next day to catch up a little more, and me apologizing for stealing her counter help for lunch, getting a, “No please, take her for the day. You seriously don't have a clue how special you are to that girl.”

  The look I gave her back conveyed some of the knowledge I gleaned off of Sarina. She squeezed my hand as I left. Man do I love that woman, she doesn't treat me any differently than when I was a student.

  Then we were off to forage for food... oh, and ice cream! We couldn't forget the ice cream!

  The three girls glided along in their sundresses, Eve attached to the eldest's shoulder. The giggling and smiling troop guiding me across the street and down the block, to a little diner that just smacked of old Americana. I don't remember it being here, but things change over the years during one's absence.

  Zoey pushed against the door in a valiant effort, thrusting her thirty pound frame against the heavy, fifty pound oak door with a lovely stained glass window and bold letters proudly proclaiming that this was Dave's Diner. Laughing, Anabella reached out and pushed it open for her. Then Zoey grabbed my hand and dragged me into the place.

  It looked like an old time diner and soda shop on the inside, complete with colorful bar stools and a brass rail in the front, and booths in the back. A couple patrons were sipping milkshakes at the counter. A very stunning man with shock black hair and wonderfully active green eyes came from behind the counter to the door as we all piled in.

  Zoey squealed, detaching herself from me and launching herself into the man's waiting arms “Daddy!” Too cute. Cue smile. 3, 2, 1 Daaaaw!

  Sarina leaned in and gave a soft kiss to the man, one of those that you can tell is a promise of more to come, “Hi Dave. We thought it would be nice to get a little lunch.” speaking and signing. “And ice cream!” a tiny voice chimed in. Causing group chuckles.

  He looked at Zoey with a mock stern face, trying to keep the smile dancing in his eyes out, “Only if you did good at your music lesson young lady.” and I was surprised that he was signing too, a little crudely compared to the grace of the girls, but signing. Zoey proudly proclaimed, “I did! I'm gonna sing as good as Auntie Ana one day!”

  After Zoey's hands stopped moving, I glanced over to Anabella and caught a sad, almost pained look in her eye that betrayed the small smile on her shiny lips. “...and you will ladybug.” Bella said. I also didn't miss the consoling hand that Sarina laid on her arm for a second.

  Then Dave turned his attention to me and almost stopped breathing “You're...” but a quick, dangerous glare from his wife stopped his voice and his signing. I wonder who wears the pants in that family. Just to be replaced with that infectious little girl's boisterous voice “Daddy, this is Miss Harris...” she paused looking at her hands then looking at Anabella... even this little one is surprising me, I know you are tired of hearing it, but I really like this family.

  “Ummm... I don't know how to spell Harris, sorry Auntie...” she drifted off for a second then bubbled back to life “She's mommy and Auntie's friend.” she finished the last word in a grand flourish of her hands.

  He cautiously glanced around reading a lot from his wife's eye motions toward the back as I produced my hand, “Please, call me Mandy.” being sure that my head was turned enough for MY Bella to see. Ummm... where did that stray thought come from?

  His large, strong hand, held genuine sincerity and warmth when he shook mine, then said, “Welcome to Dave's Diner, Mandy!” Then turned his attention to the group with a grin, “Ladies, right this way.” Once his hands were free he grabbed a single menu and brought us to the far back booth, passing a nice looking older couple enjoying their meal in the front booth.

  Anabella and Sarina quickly took the side facing the door. What the hel
l? Are these girls mind readers? I looked a question at Anabella as I slid into my side, my back to the door, with Zoey climbing up and into my lap instead of beside me. I felt a warm smile playing on my lips.

  Anabella had a laugh hiding in her eyes and turned to Dave, “Thanks Ham.” then turning to me “We figure you get tired of people recognizing you and interrupting you wherever you go because you are... well... you. So a back booth, with you facing away from the door only makes sense. You probably get tired of rubberneckers like old Ham here. Or hopeless fan girls like me.”

  Dave rolled his eyes and handed the menu to me, while Anabella nervously played with her bracelets again, “Just give me a call when you are ready ladies.” and he reached for Eve who giggled at him. He walked to the back room with her under his arm like a football, mumbling about getting her a bottle and a little quality crib time.

  “Ham?” I asked to nobody in particular, looking at the sisters across from me as they cracked up laughing. Sarina stepped up to the plate, much to Anabella's horror and relayed, “Well, you see, when I first brought Dave home, Ana was eleven, and when my mother saw us come in the door, she had said 'Oh, he's handsome.'”

  Anabella gave her a 'Don't you dare' look, but her sis kept talking, “Buuuuut...” she was shaking, holding back laughter and I know her hand signs had to be suffering from the effort, “Ana here only caught part of what she said because mom looked away, and Ana thought she said Ham, not handsome. The name sorta stuck.” Anabella rolled her eyes dramatically and stuck her tongue out at her older sister.

  That got us all laughing. God, laughing feels so good and... oh crap, our eyes just met again! Why can she freeze me like that? Oh wait, breathe! I read somewhere once that oxygen is important.

  A tiny, “Miss Harris? Want to share a bamblehurger an' french fries with me?” knocked me out of the redhead induced trance. Before Sarina could say anything I responded, “I think that would be divine, Zoey. Thank you... how do you sign thank you?” Zoey quickly showed me and I mimicked the motion. I had the distinct impression that I was going to be seeing more of this wonderful family, which shocks me. I had only just met them. “And for Pete's sake little one, call me Mandy.”

  “Who's Pete?” Zoey mumbled and signed causing another round of laughter around the table. I saw that she had a problem signing and I assume it is on the spelling of 'Pete'. That made me think of her problem with Harris. Then it hit me, obviously they have to spell out proper names since there probably are no signs for them.

  I decided I should start learning a thing or two, so I could step closer to that giddy beauty across from me. The owner of the eyes I can't seem to get enough of. She kept glancing over at me. I think it's was to check to make sure I was really there. Whenever I caught her eyes, I wondered if I was really there too.

  I glanced back toward the door when I heard a bell tinkle, and my face went blank when I saw two boys rubbernecking and walking excitedly in my direction with idiot grins on their faces. No please, don't ruin this wonderful time I'm having with the girls. I prayed. Sometimes I really hate my fans.

  But just as the thought went out to the universe, the boys were intercepted by a concerned looking Dave. I could almost see his suit of shining armor. He spoke with them for a couple seconds, and they lost their smiles, lowered their heads and reluctantly left the Diner.

  I watched them looking toward the back through the windows as they continued on their way. Relief flooded my face and I snapped back to the reality at the table with a grin, just to find both sisters trying to read me.

  Anabella's reassuring smile and tilted head turned my grin into a genuine smile and my stomach into a nest of butterflies. I don't think I'll get used to the power she has over me with that simple look. I crinkled my nose at her in retaliation.

  We called Dave over and placed our orders, and just started chatting about everything but the bad-ass rocker life. It was so welcomed and so different than what I have become accustomed to.

  Nobody has ever thought to ask me my favorite color before 'blue' and Anabella's is orange, Sarina's and Zoey's are both green. Nor ever bothered to find out that my favorite flower is the simple daisy, just like Anabella's. Sarina's is the tulip and Zoey doesn't want any 'icky' boys giving her flowers.

  Speaking on relationships, I somehow let slip that I have dated both boys and girls. Well dated is a relative term, they were more like my drunken conquests. It was just so easy to talk to these two, I have never told that to anyone before... and they don't judge and they don't pry. Though I am shocked that Anabella has never dated anyone in her life. There are 'reasons' and I returned the favor and didn't pry. While Sarina married her one true love, her high school sweetheart. Insert annoyingly sweet 'daaawwww' here.

  Both girls skillfully steered around the family subject, I swear they knew it all, and were protecting my feelings. Those thoughts flickered across my face and I was brought back by a gentle touch on the back of my hand. “Earth to M.” Bella said softly, looking into my eyes. “We thought we lost you there for a second.” I could get lost in those sparkling blues so easily.

  The arrival of our food saved me from making a fool of myself. Now let me tell you, Zoey may be small but she can eat like a linebacker. She had her half of the mammoth burger consumed before I was a quarter of the way done. Now, I know it was just a burger, but I'm here to tell you, it was heavenly. Couple it with the oversized steak fries and I was in nirvana.

  I'm sick up to here with hotel room service food, and fancy restaurants that I'm 'expected' to eat at, with dishes I can't even pronounce. Or even the stale takeout and cardboard pizza delivered to the buses while were were on the road. This delicious meal was something I have been craving for years without even knowing it.

  We ordered our desert. Ice cream. Duh! Anabella excused herself to the restroom. As soon as she was gone Sarina slid into Zoey and my side of the booth, sitting on her hands and scrunching her head to her shoulders with a a grin that was pointed in the direction Anabella went, “Oh thank you so much Mandy, I think you just made her millennium!” then she shot me one of her patent pending, genuine smiles.

  “For what? She's such an great person...” I said drifting a bit. I snap myself out of it, “...and your family is just so wonderful to me. It's me that should be thanking you.”

  Sarina just waved me off like it was nothing at all and grabbed my hand like a giddy schoolgirl, “So what do you think of Ana?” asking more with her probing eyes than her actual question.

  I measured my response, wondering if she is a witch who is reading my thoughts... or a damn gypsy. That's it! She's a gypsy with her crystal ball! Well I got news for you, I won't fall for your tricks! “I think that she is one of the most genuinely beautiful people I have ever met... inside and out.” Damn me! Traitor!

  Then I noticed something, she wasn't signing, and she wasn't when we were alone in the school either, “Can I ask... why do you sign when Anabella is around? Can't she read lips?” Before she could answer a tiny voice piped in “Cuz it's only p'lite, cuz Auntie can read lips but she can't read mumbles or chews.” she recited like it was a mantra. At this, I quickly panicked, wondering if I was talking with my mouth full during our meal.

  As if she could read my mind, Damn gypsy queen!, Sarina offered, “Don't worry! You are doing fine. And if you hang out with us more, you will learn.” I was relieved and giddy at the same time. Did she just imply they wouldn't mind a bad-ass rocker party girl hanging out with them some more? Yay! Go me!

  I paused and thought for a second. “Why does she sign to you, when she speaks with such a beautiful voice?” On cue Zoey recited, “Cuz it is only p'lite fer her to, why should she not hafta if all of us gotta? Plus us kids gotta practice reading.” she smiled like she had just recited the Declaration of Independence, eliciting a chuckle from us adults.

  A couple thoughts flashed through my head. One, Anabella truly is a thoughtful person, and two, “May I ask, if it is not prying too much. I have hea
rd many deaf people speak, and it is always muted, rounded and a little monotone. Why is her voice so... perfect... and melodic... like it came from the heavens?” I trailed off for a second with that, recalling the way her musical voice makes my hands tremble.

  Sarina looked me over, I could tell by the way she did, that she was debating whether to speak on the subject. I could tell this was a monumental decision on her part. She sighed then smiled as her eyes twinkled in memory, “She says it is mom's voice... and truthfully, it is eerily similar to mom's. It was mother and... you, that gave her her voice.”

  I questioned more with my eyes and she spoke like she was miles away, lost in another time, “Ana learned to vocalize when she was very young, it is a useful skill for the deaf to communicate with the hearing. It took her a long time to make the sounds come out right, and to tell when she was yelling, speaking or whispering. But as you said, it was, well, muted, in the way you described.”

  “It wouldn't seem like this would be a problem... and it wasn't until around the second grade. Even some of her so called friends from kindergarten and first grade noticed that she was different. Children can be extremely cruel, even more so than adults. She was teased and harassed relentlessly, treated differently throughout school.” her voice caught.

  “That's a lot of what pushed her to the day that she attempted to...” she paused again, not daring to actually say it. Taking a deep breath she continued, “But after the day she saw your broadcast that we spoke of, she was determined to make music and sing. She wanted to act 'normal', and sound 'normal', and BE 'normal', not knowing how special she was, and how loved by us she was. I'd hate for her to be normal, when she is so much more than that.”

  “She convinced mother. Then every night for months, they would spend hours at the school locked in that sound-room with that damn piano. With Ana's hands on it, as mother just kept hitting notes over and over, Ana trying to match the vibration of her throat to the vibrations of the piano. Every time they were together Ana would be holding mom's jaw, with mother repeating words over and over, Ana trying to match the vibrations she was feeling.” she wiped a single tear from her eye and I could feel mine welling up too. Back foul demons, you shall not wet my face!