Silence

Chapter 19

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I glance at the clock. It's almost five. I tap my name in Morse code. I look out the window again, waiting for their car to pull in. I try to distract my mind by thinking of this weekend.

I don't know what I'll do if my parents don't agree. It would be even worse if they say yes but the League doesn't. I don't even want to think about how awkward it'll be at Mount Justice if they don't. And I thought this would be a nice distraction.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear a car door open. I internally squeal and jump from the couch. I run to the door, racing down the driveway to greet my brother.

By the time I'm in the driveway Dustin's already jumped out of the car and running towards me.

I barely get a glance at his auburn hair before I'm crushed into his arms and spun around like a rag doll. When he finishes spinning me, he sets me back on my feet. His hugs are soft and deep, reminding me of all the nights as a little girl when a storm would wake me up and I ran into my brother's room to hide.

"I never believed for a minute you were dead," I hear Dustin whisper. "I knew you were out there somewhere, fighting."

I wince slightly as I think of how short my fighting lasted. I look up at my brother, freeing my hands.

"I've never been happier to see a D-O-R-K in all my life."

"It's good to see your back to normal," he says with a chuckle and a shove. I laugh too, knowing we both know that's not true. Mom said she told him everything, knowing they'd be able to keep a secret. I'm glad. I can't imagine keeping a secret from Dustin. Besides, he always knows when I'm lying.

After what feels like an eternity, but not nearly long enough, we finally part and I step back to look at the three of them. I have to blink, though, because my eyes are blurry with tears. I wipe them away and my vision clears. I relearn his face, every line and detail. 

"Don't let him fool you," Connie says as she and Heidi lean in for hug. "He stayed up worried sick every night. He was always thinking about you. We all were."

I nod. I look at Heidi, who's grown a lot in four months. I give her a smile.

"Low! Low!" she squeals. Connie hands her over. Heidi wraps her small arms around my neck and I hold her close, cradling her dark blonde head. She looks at me with big eyes and I take in her rosy face. I wave hello and sign "I love you" with my thumb, index finger, and pinkie. It's one of the only signs she really knows. She tries to sign it back to me, but we laugh as she can't quite get it.

We make our way inside. I listen to Heidi as she rambles in almost comprehensible sentences. I've never seen her so excited in my life. I watch as Pine races to greet all of us.

I set her down and let her wobble into the living room. We all sit down, with Dustin and Mom sitting next to me. I use my phone to communicate.

"Have you been adjusting well?" Connie asks as she takes a seat. Her hair is in an up-do and I can see a smear of graphite on her left hand. I wish she brought some of her sketches.

"Yes," I answer. With one hand I fidget with the end of my blue shirt. "I start school on M-O-N-D-A-Y."

"If it were me I'd try convincing them to let me skip the rest of the year," she responds with a laugh. I nod in agreement.