deafness doesnât have to be a disability, she wrote.
He slouched against the sofa and folded his arms. âItâs a disability when I canât do the kind of work I enjoy.â Lonnie thought about Job 2:10, which Pop had showed him after breakfast that morning: âShall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?â He knew there were others, like Job, whoâd suffered and faced trials worse than him, but his deafness was still a bitter pill to swallow.
There are other jobs that donât require you to hear, Jolene wrote.
He shook his head stubbornly. âI donât want any other job!â
Jolene scrawled something else on the notebook, handed it to Lonnie, and left the room.
Lonnie stared at what sheâd 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. Didnât he realize that heâd never be able to live a normal life unless he could communicate with others? He was bitter and angry right now, but then sheâd felt that way, too, after sheâd lost her hearing. Sheâd 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 Iâll stop by the Hershbergersâ after school again today, Jolene decided. Maybe I can get Lonnie to change his mind about letting me tutor him.
Joleneâs 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. Sheâd seen several cats at the Troyersâ 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 thatâs 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, Iâll 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.
âGood morning,â Jolene signed. âIâm glad to see that you brought your pets.â
Sylvia nodded enthusiastically and signed, âMy kittenâs name is Mittens. She has four white paws.â
Jolene smiled. âMittens is a cute kitten.â She looked at Irvin. âWhatâs your turtleâs name?â
He tipped his head and stared at her like he didnât have a clue what sheâd signed.
Jolene signed again. âWhatâs your turtleâs name?â
Irvin stared straight ahead.
Sylvia nudged Irvinâs arm, but he ignored her. She looked up at Jolene and signed, âThe turtleâs name is Tommy.â
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, âLetâs go inside. You can put your pets in their carriers
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