Cousin's Challenge by Wanda E. Brunstetter

deafness doesn’t have to be a disability, she wrote.
    He slouched against the sofa and folded his arms. “It’s a disability when I can’t do the kind of work I enjoy.” Lonnie thought about Job 2:10, which Pop had showed him after breakfast that morning: “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” He knew there were others, like Job, who’d suffered and faced trials worse than him, but his deafness was still a bitter pill to swallow.
    There are other jobs that don’t require you to hear, Jolene wrote.
    He shook his head stubbornly. “I don’t want any other job!”
    Jolene scrawled something else on the notebook, handed it to Lonnie, and left the room.
    Lonnie stared at what she’d written and the words blurred on the page: Believe it or not, I understand how you feel. If you change your mind, please let me know.

CHAPTER 14
    As Jolene pedaled her bike to school the next day, she thought about her visit with Lonnie. Didn’t he realize that he’d never be able to live a normal life unless he could communicate with others? He was bitter and angry right now, but then she’d felt that way, too, after she’d lost her hearing. She’d come to accept her disability, and learning total communication from her aunt had not only changed her way of thinking, but it had also opened up a whole new world for her.
    I think I’ll stop by the Hershbergers’ after school again today, Jolene decided. Maybe I can get Lonnie to change his mind about letting me tutor him.
    Jolene’s thoughts turned to other things. Fern had reminded her class at the close of school yesterday that today would be pet day where anyone could bring a pet to share with the class. Irvin and Sylvia were invited to bring their pets, too, and Jolene hoped it might spark an interest in Irvin. She’d seen several cats at the Troyers’ place, as well as a dog, so she figured the children might bring one of those.
    As Jolene entered the schoolyard, she spotted Kyle and his brother Elmer trudging across the yard, each holding one end of a birdcage. A colorful parrot flapped its wings against the cage and hopped up and down. It seemed like an unusual pet for boys as rambunctious as Kyle and Elmer. Jolene pictured them having a big shaggy dog that liked to bark and make a nuisance of itself. Several children had gathered around Kyle and Elmer and were pointing at the parrot. Both boys beamed, obviously enjoying the attention.
    Maybe that’s all those two need, Jolene thought as she parked her bike and headed across the yard. With their daed laid up and their mamm extra busy right now, Kyle and Elmer might not be getting much attention at home. When I see Jake again, I’ll mention it to him.
    Jolene was almost to the schoolhouse when she saw Irvin and Sylvia sitting on the porch. Sylvia had a kitten in her lap. Irvin had just removed a turtle from the cardboard box sitting near his feet.
    â€œGood morning,” Jolene signed. “I’m glad to see that you brought your pets.”
    Sylvia nodded enthusiastically and signed, “My kitten’s name is Mittens. She has four white paws.”
    Jolene smiled. “Mittens is a cute kitten.” She looked at Irvin. “What’s your turtle’s name?”
    He tipped his head and stared at her like he didn’t have a clue what she’d signed.
    Jolene signed again. “What’s your turtle’s name?”
    Irvin stared straight ahead.
    Sylvia nudged Irvin’s arm, but he ignored her. She looked up at Jolene and signed, “The turtle’s name is Tommy.”
    Jolene was sure Irvin was just being stubborn by refusing to respond to her question. She was tempted to tell Sylvia to let her brother speak for himself, but she decided not to make an issue of it. She pointed to the schoolhouse and signed, “Let’s go inside. You can put your pets in their carriers