by Sandi Lynn
“Son?” He glanced up at me.
“I want to make something very clear to both of you. Ellie isn’t going anywhere. I love that woman more than life, and I can’t grasp why you can’t accept that!”
“I’m not discussing this now,” my father spoke as he went to get up from his seat.
“SIT DOWN!” I demanded.
“How dare you talk to me that way, boy!”
“How dare the two of you treat Ellie the way you are. What is wrong with you people? And you.” I pointed to my mother. “How dare you offer her money to leave me.”
“Lillian, you did that?” my father asked.
“Yes. Yes, I did. You would have done the same thing, Carlyle.”
“Do you not care about my happiness at all? I’m your son for fuck sakes. I’m your flesh and blood. I lived my life trying to please you. I want to hear you say it’s because she’s deaf.”
Both of them looked away from me.
“God only knows what Abigail is thinking about this right now.
“Don’t you dare bring her up!” My father shouted. “You don’t understand, and you never will until you yourself has lost a child.”
“I lost her too!” I shouted. “She was my twin sister. When she died, a part of me died with her! She’s gone and I’ve accepted that. It’s time the two of you did the same. I will protect Ellie at all costs. I plan on marrying her and if you can’t accept that, you will lose another child. And don’t be surprised if Addison follows suit for the way you treat her. Then what will your country club friends think when all your children are gone from your life and the two of you are left all alone for the rest of your lives?”
“How dare you come into our home and threaten us,” my mother spoke through gritted teeth.
“It’s not a threat, Mother. It’s a promise.”
“Everyone calm down,” my father spoke. “Just calm down.”
“Carlyle!”
“Shut up, Lillian. I’ve heard enough out of you. Henry, just go.”
“Trust me, I am.” I stormed out of their home.
I needed to cool off before I went home because I didn’t want Ellie to see me this way. So, I stopped at the florist and picked up a bouquet of flowers and took them to Abigail’s grave. As I was sitting there, I looked up and saw my father walking towards me with a pink rose in his hand.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” he spoke as he bent down and placed the rose across Abigail’s grave.
“I come here all the time. Especially when I need to think,” I said.
“So do I, son. Ellie reminds me of her, you know.” He took a seat on the ground next to me. “I saw it the moment I laid eyes on her. You didn’t go to California to check out an investment deal, did you?”
“No. I went there to get Ellie back.”
“Why was she in California?”
“She wasn’t. I set it up with Frankie to make it seem like she was going to meet an art dealer who was interested in her paintings. He brought her to me.”
“So, you tricked her? I’m sure she wasn’t happy about that.”
“Not at first she wasn’t. But we talked about everything, and she forgave me.”
“I guess we were wrong about Kirsten. For her to cheat on you, get pregnant and then plot to make it seem like it was your child—our grandchild, was just disgusting. Sometimes it amazes me what people will do for love.” He sighed.
The two of us sat in silence for a moment until he told me something I wasn’t prepared to hear.
“I saw Abigail, son.”
“What do you mean?” I glanced at him.
“I’ve never spoken to anyone about this. Not even your mother. When I had my heart attack and in surgery, I must have had a near death experience or something, because I was out of my body. I saw the doctors cut me open as I floated above the ceiling. That’s when I saw her. She was standing on the other side of the doors looking in. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how I felt. The moment I walked out the doors of the surgical room, she took my hand and led me down the hallway. I asked her how she was, and she told me she was happy. She told me that as much as she wanted me to come with her, it wasn’t my time and I needed to go back, but she’d always be watching over me and our family. When you were at the house and told me that we needed to let go, memories of that day came flooding back. She looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said, ‘Daddy, it’s time you let me go. You need to let me go.’” He wiped the tears that formed in his eyes. “And then she was gone. I thought it was just some kind of dream at first, but then I did research on people who have experienced the same thing, and I know it was real. She came to me, Henry. My little girl came to me.”
“Dad.” I reached over and placed my hand on his.
“You’re right about Ellie. It is because she’s deaf, and the thought of using sign language again brought back so many memories of her, and I carry around that pain every single day. You know I always did what she asked. So, maybe it is time to let her go.”
“Just because you’re letting go, doesn’t mean you’ll ever forget her, Dad.”
“I know, son. I’ll talk to your mother. I’m not willing to lose any more of my children.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love Ellie so much, and all I want is for you and mom to get to know what a beautiful person she is.”
He nodded his head as he patted my back, got up and walked away. When I got back home, I found Ellie in the kitchen making a sandwich.
“You’re back.” She smiled. “How was the office?”
“Move in with me,” I signed.
“What?” She laughed.
“Move in with me. I don’t want to do this back-and-forth thing between apartments anymore. I want you here with me, full time,” I signed.
“Are you serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. What do you say?”
“Yes!” She beamed with excitement. “I would love to live with you.”
I picked her up and swung her around as I kissed her lips.
“Eat your sandwich and then we’ll go to your apartment and get packing.”
“Today?” she asked.
“Yes, today. I don’t want to wait another minute.”
Chapter 35
One Month Later
Ellie
I was sitting in the kitchen on my laptop doing some work when the lights started to flash, alerting me that someone was coming up on the elevator.
“I’ll go see who it is, Delilah,” I said as I got up.
Walking to the foyer, the elevator doors opened, and I saw Henry’s mother standing there. Instantly, a sick feeling settled in my belly.
“Hi,” I said. “Henry isn’t here.”
“I know. I came to speak to you,” she signed as she stepped off the elevator.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee or some tea?”
“Coffee would be nice,” she signed as she walked to the kitchen with me.
“Hello, Delilah,” Lillian spoke. “Long time no see.”
“Hello, Mrs. Walker.” Delilah glanced over at me, and I gave her a slight nod. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some shopping to do.”
I took a mug from the cabinet, poured some coffee into it, and handed it to her as Lillian sat down at the table.
“I made some muffins this morning. Would you like one?” I asked as I stood across the table from her before taking my seat.
“No. Thank you.”
I sat down and asked her what she wanted to talk to me about.
“Henry told me you moved in the other day,” she signed.
“Actually, I moved in a little over a month ago,” I spoke and signed at the same time.
“I will say that you speak well, considering—”
“I was five when I lost my hearing, and I went through years of speech therapy.”
“Abigail was born deaf, but we really didn’t know until she was a year old. That was also when we found out abou
t her heart,” she signed.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. I stopped by Frankie’s gallery the other day and I saw some of your artwork. You’re very talented.”
I had no idea what the hell was going on. But the one thing I did know, coming here wasn’t easy for her.
“Thank you.”
“I’m hosting a family dinner tomorrow night and I would like it if you and Henry attended,” she signed. “Addison will be bringing that Jack boy she’s been seeing.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“He’s a great guy, and we’d love to come.”
Suddenly, Henry walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks with a horrified look on his face.
“Mom? What are you doing here?”
“I was in the area, and I thought I’d stop by and invite you and Ellie to family dinner tomorrow night.”
“We never have family dinner.” His brows furrowed.
“Well, we are now.” She got up from her seat. “Thank you for the coffee, Ellie. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye, Henry.”
“Goodbye, Mother. What the hell was all that about?” he signed with a confused look on his face.
“I don’t know, and I’m not questioning it. Maybe she’s had a change of heart.”
“I don’t know. I don’t trust her.”
I let out a laugh. “It took a lot for her to come over here.”
“Did she apologize to you?”
“No. Give her time. I’m sure she will.” I smirked.
“Don’t hold your breath.” He walked over and kissed my lips.
“By the way, what are you doing home? You just left three hours ago.”
“I forgot an important file in my office. I just came back to get it, and I’m already late for a meeting. I love you, but I have to run,” he signed and began to walk out of the kitchen.
“I love you too. Don’t forget Addison and Jack are coming over for dinner tonight.”
He stopped and turned around. “I haven’t forgotten.” He gave me a wink.
Henry
After my meeting, I headed back to the office and ran into my father on the way up.
“How did the meeting go?” he asked as he pushed the button to the elevator.
“It went good. The company is in serious trouble, but with some capital and restructuring, it can be extremely profitable.”
“Good.” He patted my back as we stepped inside the elevator.
“I stopped by the penthouse to pick up a folder I’d left, and Mom was there talking to Ellie.”
“She was?” His brow arched.
“Yes. She invited us to a family dinner tomorrow night.”
“Good.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Did you have something to do with that?” The doors opened and we stepped out.
“We had a talk. I told her about Abigail. She told me I was being ridiculous, but I knew she knew it was real. I may have embellished the story a bit, but I got my point across.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome, son. Now, we need to dig deep on that Jack guy your sister is seeing.”
“Leave him alone. He’s a good man.” I smirked as I patted his shoulder.
Chapter 36
Six Months Later
Ellie
Things with Henry’s parents took a major turn for the better. They’d finally accepted me, and I’d accepted them. Lillian still never apologized, but I let it go. Apologies weren’t her strong suit, and everyone knew it. The only thing that mattered was we got along. We even went shopping and out to lunch a few times. Addison was back at school, and she and Jack still saw each other. They were good together, and I missed her. We’d become very close, almost like sisters. We’d Facetime every day, but it wasn’t the same as her being here.
Henry was officially the new CEO of Walker Capital since his father retired and handed the company over to him. The family celebrated by throwing him a big bash at the Plaza Hotel which included about three hundred guests. It was an evening to remember, and I was so proud of him.
Two Weeks Later
We’d just gotten home from a fundraising event that Henry’s company put on. It was a crazy night, and I was very tired. As I was in the bathroom washing my face, Henry walked in.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m just tired.” I patted my face dry.
“You seemed overwhelmed at the fundraiser. I noticed the same thing at my celebration party.”
“You know big crowds aren’t really my thing. It’s hard to communicate with a group of people. Especially large groups of people.”
“You know, I’ve been thinking about something, and I know I’ve never asked you this, but have you ever considered getting a cochlear implant?” he signed.
“I wondered when you were going to ask me that. I’m surprised it took this long. That’s usually the number one question most deaf people get asked.” I walked away.
He walked over and stood in front of me. “And?”
“I had the implant when I was seven years old for about two months before it malfunctioned, and I had to have it removed. The doctor’s said in six months, I could have another implant. My parents asked me what I wanted, and I told them no. Even though they wanted me to try again, the decision was up to me because it was very hard on me the first time. When the audiologist first turned it on, I cried hysterically because I felt an electrical shock from the implant. It was hell because it kept happening. And when it malfunctioned, I was happy because I didn’t want to deal with it.”
“But technology has advanced so much since then, sweetheart. I’ve been doing a lot of research.”
I stood there in shock as I stared at him.
“You have? Why?”
“Because I think it’s something you need.”
“Excuse me? You think I need it?”
“Let me rephrase that,” he signed. “I think with today’s technology and everything I’ve read, you can live a—”
“If you say what I think you’re going to say, you better think twice!” I spoke and signed in anger.
I watched as he inhaled a deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Is it so wrong that I want you to be able to hear my voice and the voice of everyone else who loves you?”
“Is that what this is about? You? What you want for me?”
“I just think it would be easier on you in social situations like tonight. Plus, you wouldn’t have to sign as much anymore.”
I couldn’t believe how ignorant he was being, and it rattled me to my core.
“You mean you wouldn’t have to sign as much anymore?”
“That is not what I’m saying! A cochlear implant can fix things for you, Ellie.”
“I don’t need to be fixed! I know who I am. The implant isn’t a cure, Henry, and I’d be stuck in between the deaf world and the hearing world. Who would I be then? I wouldn’t be deaf Ellie or hearing Ellie.”
“You’d just be Ellie! I don’t understand your reasoning. If a person has cancer, they go through chemo to get better. If you break a bone, you go to the doctor and get it fixed. When someone’s heart beats too slow, they get a pacemaker!”
Although I couldn’t hear him, I knew he was shouting.
“I am not broken!” I shouted.
“You have the choice to be able to hear again!”
“Exactly! It’s my choice.” I pushed my finger into my chest.
I saw his lips moving as he turned away from me. Grabbing his arm, I turned him around.
“You know you can’t turn away from me when you’re talking! What the hell did you just say?”
“If you had the implant, you would have heard what I said,” he signed and walked out of the bedroom.
I stood in the middle of the room as anger and hurt consumed me. It felt as if the walls were caving in, and I couldn’t breathe. Grabbing my suitcase from the closet, I began throwing some clothes
into it. Henry walked back into the room and lightly took hold of my arm.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to stay with my mom. I can’t be here with you right now!”
“So you’re just going to run instead of talking about it?” he signed.
“There’s nothing to talk about! What don’t you understand? I am who I am, and you’re trying to change me.”
“I am not trying to change you, Ellie. I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t need help, Henry! Nothing is wrong with me!”
“Fine. Go to your mom’s then.” He threw his hands up in the air and walked out of the room.
Tears started streaming down my face as I grabbed my phone and got an Uber. After zipping my suitcase, I took it from the bed, grabbed my laptop, went downstairs, and walked out the door. It was late, so I texted my mom to let her know I was coming over instead of just showing up.
“I’m on my way over. Can I stay with you? Henry and I got into a fight, and I left.”
“Of course, you can. What did you fight about?”
“I’ll tell you when I get there.”
The moment I stepped through the door of her apartment, tears streamed down my face. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me for a few moments before we started to talk.
“What happened?”
“Henry wants me to get a cochlear implant.”
“Oh. Did you tell him you tried that already?”
“Yes. But he wouldn’t stop going on and on about modern technology and how things are different now. He wants me to be able to hear him.”
“In all honesty, honey, I was waiting for that, and I think you were too.”
“He’s trying to change me, and change who I am.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I don’t think he’s trying to change you.”
“He actually compared my deafness to cancer and broken bones.”
“I don’t think he meant it the way you took it.”
“Are you being serious right now? Why are you defending him?!”
“I’m not defending him. But you can’t just run away, Ellie. The two of you need to talk about how you both feel about it.”
