This wouldn't leave my head after I was done with YGM ... so here it is. Enjoy.

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PART 1

Jack watched them from the relative darkness of his chosen corner.

They were so comfortable together as they shared a conversation. No, not just a conversation but a language, a code, a culture … they shared a quiet, almost secret, world that he could never be part of.

He’d tried. Heaven knew how hard he’d tried to make his way across the shaky bridge of learning ASL but he never seemed to get partway, never mind all the way, across.

Each time he’d grasped a few signs, and triumphantly used them in sometimes hilariously contrived sentences for her approval, he’d realise he’d forgotten some word or the other he needed. And there he’d be, stuck in mid-sentence while she waited patiently for the rest of the words that never came.

So he’d resort to speaking, hating his incompetence. And she’d nod, understanding both his words and his frustration. Then she’d gently and lovingly guide him, encouraging him to try again.

Try again …

He shook his head with something that felt like derision. He’d sailed through school and college, passed the bar, aced sniper school, nearly topped his class at Quantico … only to find himself now chronically unable to manage enough signs to sustain an ordinary conversation.

He knew he lacked the years of practice she’d had. He lacked opportunities for daily usage and he was honest enough to admit he found it more convenient to speak; after all he was aural. And she could lip read, so their established norm was for them to speak and Sue would sign simultaneously while he would punctuate his words with sign when he could. Clearly it hadn’t done him much good.

He wasn’t any better at reading signs. He had enough trouble coping with just Sue, never mind the occasions when they were in company. While she and her friends carried on multiple conversations with effortless skill, he was lucky if he caught three words out of the sea of gesticulating fingers and arms, and body movements.

Sue had hugged him fiercely, finding him the throes of despair after one such gathering, explaining that it was not really different from learning a foreign language - you needed equal parts memory work and practice. That helped … a little.

But how could he explain that even attempting a foreign language in a foreign land, there were clues - inflections, accents, resemblances to familiar English words that could aid and transform learning. A sign and it’s spoken counterpart didn’t always connect, despite Sue’s assurance that some signs were not unlike common gestures.

He cringed at the memory of how he’d used a wrong sign at one of her friend’s lunches, sending the group into peals of laughter. To be fair, the laughter was hardly unkind, and they’d patiently and affectionately corrected him, teaching him a few more alternative phrases into the bargain.

In spite of how Sue had extremely satisfyingly rewarded him for his efforts when they’d returned home, he’d felt like a outcast. And the laughter and sense of failure had stung.

And here she was, engaged in a perfect, happy conversation that he could no longer follow because they’d increased their signing speed, emotions heightening the animation of their fingers. Their fingers waved, made shapes and meanings that were mere blurs to his consciousness; their faces alive with expressions that enriched their words. The world around them had no value because they belonged in a world of their own.

He watched as she laughed out loud at something her companion had said.

“Great,” he mumbled to himself in defeat. “They even joke in sign. This is impossible.”

He turned away to leave, wondering why he continued to struggle when she’d explicitly told him repeatedly she never expected him to, showering him with appreciation nonetheless because she knew he constantly tried.

But it hurt that she’d entered his world. And for the life of him, he couldn’t make headway in hers.

yhm, that was simply beautiful. Sad, poignant, and very, very beautiful. How can I enjoy when I'm crying? Make it a happy post the next time?

Beautiful descriptive writing -- I could feel the emotion. And at the thought of Jack trying so hard to fit in to Sue's world.

kav

How you portray emotion is absolutley brilliant. My heart went out to Jack and Sue in completley different ways.

Yhm, I think you have captured exactly what Jack's feelings must be over the frustration of trying to learn sign!! You've shown how important it is to him to be a part of Sue's world!!

This is beautiful and very heartwrenching!!!

Joy

I'm so happy to see another story from you! Beautiful writing, Yhm!

Okay, so there's only 3 more titles after this one. There's not much time, but you can do it!

I just loved your descriptions, yhm, brilliant writing, I can't wait for the next part!

ah jack it's the effort that counts, and you are making a big effort, but i can understand it...it's not easy to change something or learn something, and learning something as difficult as sign language takes time.

What a clever idea and how wonderfully you are portraying Jack's emotions and frustrations here. This is both sad and endearing all at the same time. I was touched.

This has me wondering where they are in their relationship, but I am sure that yhm will fill us in on that.

You've written Jacks frustration so well, his attempts to fit into Sue's world. Very heartfelt

Great writing yhm

PART 2

Sue looked up suddenly, as if she sensed the change in him and that he was about to withdraw. Her eyes scanned the room for him, relaxing only when she spotted him.

His heart thumped as it always did when she smiled at him; it always had. But he realised his answering smile must have failed to reach his eyes because she frowned, stilling her hands as she stared at him.

Jack shook his head slightly. “Stay,” he mouthed. “I’m going out for some air.”

She found him moments later on the patio swing, rocking himself a little with one foot. Instead of sitting beside him, she took a chair that allowed her to face him, eyeing his demeanour in concern.

“Spill,” she said, bumping his knees from the side with hers.

He bumped back. “It’s the same issue. Nothing new.”

“Ah.”

“Sue, how can I ever hope to support you fully, share your world, or even be the kind of man you deserve if all I can do is hang around like a uncomprehending half-wit?”

“A what?” She squinted at him, the twinkle in her eyes belying her mock confusion.

He glared. Or tried to. “You got what I said.”

“I was hoping you’d repeat it so you could call yourself a half-wit again. Saves me having to do so.”

Funny, you.

Sour, you.

“So now I’m a half-wit lemon.”

“If the shoe fits … ”

When he didn’t answer, looking away from her, she bumped his knees once more. “You know I love you for taking ASL classes.”

“As a lemon, I have every right to say I suck at those classes.”

She smiled. “You do better than you give yourself credit for.”

He sighed. “You don’t have to try to make me - ”

“Yes, I do, because I don’t tell you enough how much I appreciate the way you’ve accepted my world and how you’ve gone about adapting yourself to it. I’m ashamed to say I often forget how hard it is for you.”

“Sue … ”

Sue gave a dramatic sigh. “I’ve never met a more contrary and difficult man. First he feels down, then he won’t let me make him feel better. What in the world is a girl to do?” She fluttered her eyelashes.

Jack had to laugh, shaking his head. “Okay, go ahead and make me feel better.”

“Thank you.” She bumped his knees again. “As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, my deaf friends and I have long ago learnt ASL or lip reading out of necessity and survival. How else could we cope in a world that is hearing? But you were born with your hearing intact; using our methods in a silent world is hard and unnatural. Besides, most of us have used ASL all our lives so we’re as fluent as you are with speaking English. You’ve been taking lessons for less than two years even as you juggled with work and your own needs.”

“Don’t forget the needs of a certain blonde steam-roller.”

He chuckled, fending her off as she poked his thighs.

“There’s that,” she conceded, primly, trying not to smile. “Jack, sharing my world goes beyond just learning ASL or trying to keep up with conversations: I think it’s even more important that you understand and realise there are obvious differences and so there are differences too in how we behave, think and act within and across our worlds.”

“I’d like to think I’ve tried.”

“You have; you just don’t seem to realise you've succeeded. But what you said earlier … about the kind of man I deserve? That’s where we have a problem.”

I love the candidness of their conversation.........valid points on both parts!

Jill

I was feeling all better as Sue comforted Jack and all, until this line. Please, please tell me this is your 'distracting' talent showing..

I actually found the last line encouraging. I have a hunch Sue is going to have more to say about the type of man she deserves.

And I'm inclined to agree with you. Sue will hopefully describe a guy that's not all too different looking to out very own special agent?

I'll have to say I have never thought of Jack as a half-wit lemon!!!

Joy

never thought of jack as a sour lemon

I'm glad their talking candidly...Sue can be very convincing when she wants to be.
kav

Great little story

Another great post yhm, love the banter between Jack and Sue dealing with a personal problem. I'm sure Sue can make him feel much better

I agree with you both, Ivory and AG.
Great post, Yhm! Look forward to more!

Oh, well, Jack thought of Jack as a sour lemon ... silly boy.

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PART 3

Sue hated the way Jack’s expressive dark eyes shuttered before he looked away and knew that he’d misunderstood. She wanted to kick herself for teasing him.

Normally a confidant man who was not given to rash decisions or premature conclusions, Jack could sometimes be bewilderingly susceptible to self-doubt and flashes of insecurity when it came to her and their relationship. It was almost as if he feared he would somehow fail her, somehow misplace the trust and faith she had in him and that because he was hearing, he was somehow inadequate when coping with her world.

The thing was, she couldn’t fathom why he should feel that way; after all, she was the one with the disability. And she marvelled each day how she felt more confidant and at ease with the world around her, no longer hesitant about new environments or people that came her way.

And it was largely due to Jack: he’d simply gone about making changes to his life and lifestyle to accommodate her, never once complaining, striving always to make things easier for her, and surprising her with his generosity, ingenuity and sensitivity.

She didn’t know what kind of man he thought she deserved but she was convinced she was blessed beyond her dreams to have him. He had never let her down, and she knew with complete certainty that he never would.

And she was suddenly consumed with remorse that she’d never told him that, or let him know often enough what a source of happiness and strength he was to her.

“Do you want to know what the problem is?” she asked gently.

“You’re going to tell me anyway.”

“I am. You see, the problem is you keep thinking you’re a half-wit who assumes he’s not coping with being part of my world. But I keep seeing one of the smartest, most capable, perceptive, giving men I - ”

“Sue, you don’t know that many men … do you?”

She bumped his knees hard, making him wince.

“You’re determined to be a sour half-wit, aren’t you? Stop interrupting.”

He pursed his mouth in suppressed amusement, gesturing for her to continue.

“Thank you. Remember how you brought in a crew to install sensors and cameras and little screens all over the house so I’ll always know where you are, or if someone’s at the door or the phone’s ringing or the washing machine’s gone off or if I’m needed in another room? You wanted me to feel secure, especially if I was alone. Do you think it’s even occurred to many people to do all that? To provide the gift of security, motivated by caring and love?”

“I honestly wouldn’t know.”

“That was a rhetorical question, Jack. You’ve attended deaf events with me even when I know you’d rather be elsewhere. You’ve never stopped me from doing things with my deaf friends. And I know you’ve given up pool nights and gym nights because of me or even just so you can look after Levi while I go out. I’m the one who should be ashamed because I’ve never thought to do anything with you, share in one of your hobbies, or even to accompany you to the gym whe- ”

Jack felt an interruption was necessary because he was genuinely perplexed. “Why would you want to accompany me to the gym?”

“I can’t admire you while you bench press?” She giggled at his expression.

“You want to watch me bench press?”

“Okay, if you don’t want me to, I could always admire the other men; I don’t think they’ll mind.”

Jack scowled. “You wouldn’t dare!”

Laughing, she got to her feet to lean over him. She framed his face, tilting it up to gaze into his eyes, telegraphing her love for him, wondering if he could see just how much she adored him. He was gorgeous, both inside and out, and his own oblivion to it only made him all the more attractive to her.

She kissed his mouth. “I dare,” she whispered against his lips, “but I don’t want to. Why would I when I have you?”

“You want a sour half-wit?”

“Hmmm … I’m only after you for your looks and your body.”

She shrieked when he grabbed her to tickle her, laughing as he wrestled her down beside him. She hugged his arm, interlinking their fingers as they silently rocked themselves for a while.

Then Sue asked conversationally, “How long do you think it took for me to learn to say ‘church’?”

His eyebrows rose. “Church?”

“You hearing people are all alike - you make it sound so easy.”

He chuckled but remained otherwise quiet, going through the process of saying the word in his head as he experimented with his tongue and lips. “Ch-ur-ch?”

Sue watched him in amusement. “Yep. Now imagine saying it when you’ve never heard it before. Those ‘ch-s’ drove me mad because I couldn’t figure out how they were made. The lips stick out, which obscures the position of the tongue so I never knew where it was supposed to go, and the silly thing is voiceless. How was I supposed to know ‘ch’ made a noise like a train? Like I’d heard a train before I went deaf. I went round saying ‘er’ like a fish every Sunday for months. And then there’s ‘judge’.”

Jack smiled. “You, my darling,” he said, tapping her nose, “might have just succeeded in trying to make me feel better.”

And you, yhm, just managed to make me feel all better too!

I love this twist -- Jack feeling inadequate -- worried about fitting in -- being enough for Sue! And I love how Sue is talking him around. That's sure to lead to fuzzies!
kav

Ditto, I love this brilliant twist.

The deep love Jack and Sue have for each other - and their generosity of spirit of really shines through!

So beautiful!

jack is so sweet, that shows that everybody has some kind of insecurety that we have to face.

and sue, so sweet, trying to tell him how much he already has done, i'm loving this

A wonderful post, Yhm! This is a great story!

The house? Are they living together?

I sat there thinking about this and doing it

It's great to read Sue cheering Jack up!! Great post yhm

Great writing, yhm. I thought that Sue would make him feel better.

PART 4

Sue rescued her nose, tucking it safely against his shoulder as she slid an arm around his back to cuddle him.

“Partners are supposed to do that,” she said solemnly. “Especially lifetime partners who love each other. Besides, I’ve been deaf for 25 years, Sparky, so I think you can cut yourself some slack.”

Jack crossed his arms, lips twitching. “You sound like Bobby.”

“Nah, if I did I’d have called you drongo.”

Sue smiled at his laughter, squeezing his shoulder with her chin. “You know, maybe you’re not meant to be completely a part of my world - and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Maybe you’re meant to stand with one foot in both our worlds … as an extraordinary person who understands and appreciates both.”

He turned to find her gaze fixed on his mouth. “You think?”

“I do … maybe you’re meant to be my link to the hearing world like I’m yours to mine, so we straddle both worlds. Maybe we’re meant to be together so we can collaborate and do good for reasons we don’t yet know. Or maybe that reason is already in evidence and it’s why we’re such a good team at work and at home. And why we’ve had our lives enriched by our differences instead of being torn apart by them.”

He stared at his shoes, quiet as he listened and considered her words.

Sue leaned over, raising a hand to his cheek to turn his face to her. “You’re a very, very special man, Jack.”

She gave his face a gentle shake as she looked intently into his dark eyes. “What sets you apart from so many other people is your open mind and the fact that you try. You’re willing to learn and you’re supportive … you are of me.”

He turned his head a little to press a kiss to her palm. “Thank you.”

She smiled, and raised her other hand to play the hair at his temple. “I have it on very good authority that the combination is extremely … ummm … attractive.”

“Is that so? Which authority?”

“Female - one of whom even wanted to know if you have a brother available. But enough about that. I think there are enough hearing women fawning all over you as it is”

Jack laughed out loud.

“You’re kidding, right?” He chuckled at Sue’s pursed mouth and suddenly narrowed, steely eyes. “Darling, you know I’m only interested in one particular non-hearing woman.”

“Hmmm … anyway, there are things that don’t need hearing. Or language, signed or spoken.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Kissing. You haven’t done that in the last hour and a half.”

“I thought we just did.”

“I kissed you. You haven’t kissed me since our friends arri - ”

He wasn’t always a half-wit and proved it right there and then by being obedient. “I think philosophy becomes you,” he teased softly.

“Being your wife becomes me,” Sue corrected, patting her gently rounded belly. She smiled and leaned against him contentedly. “And being this little one’s mother.”

“You’re positively glowing.”

“I always knew I was the brighter one.”

He poked her arm and she laughed with him, happy that he’d snapped out of his mood and she snuggled herself closer into his side as they sat in companionable silence.

Then Sue reluctantly stirred. “We should go in.”

“I guess.” Jack stood, holding out his hands to pull her up. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For making you come out here. Taking you away from your friends. Being sour.”

She wrapped her arms round his middle. “My place is with you, Jack. For better or worse, remember? Just promise me you’ll stop thinking you’re inadequate because you’re not.”

“I’ll try.”

She glared at him.

He grinned. “Okay, I’ll try really hard.”

Sue nodded; but she would be more watchful now. “And I promise to tell you a whole lot more often what an amazing husband you are.”

Jack looked injured. “Only tell?”

“Show and tell.” Sue grinned, even as she rolled her eyes.

“Sounds like a deal I could shake on.”

“Hmmm … only shake?”

“Don’t start. Or I’ll make you forget your friends are here.”

She laughed, suddenly wishing their guests had indeed left. Perhaps she could plead tiredness? Jack watched her face with pure male satisfaction, knowing perfectly well the direction of her thoughts. And he couldn’t help grinning. “Ready to go back in?”

“No … yes … oh.”

His grin broadened. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She sighed. “All right, yes.” Then she gripped his arm. “Promise me you’ll allow yourself time, Jack. And not be so hard on yourself. You're doing better than okay.”

He smiled. “You’re making me believe I can manage in your world. That it’s possible to have the best of both worlds.”

“We’re together, darling. I’d say it’s already possible. And for the record?”

“What?”

“You already sign and read the most important sign of all.”

As he held the door open for her, Jack raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”

I love you.




END

What a perfect ending.

A beautiful ending to a wonderful story!
Thanks for sharing another great story, yhm!

My favorite part of all.

yhm, I absolutely love the ending where you revealed that they were already married and expecting a baby! A perfect sweet ending and I definitely love the closing line.



Simply perfect!

Now off to the new baby's sweater!

That was absolutely lovely!! I loved the idea of them straddling both worlds and being their contact for each! What a fantastic short story! Well-Done!

That was a beautiful story well done

This story was crafted so beautifully. The image of them standing together as they strattle between both the hearing and non-hearing world was moving.

Wow, love that concept! Love the way Sue is so intuitive and won't back down until Jack 'gets it'.
Lovely.

Wonderful story, yhm.

kav

beautifull i loved this story, the diffrent side of the relationship

beautiful, yhm, absolutely gorgeous...I loved the way you imagined them as if they coneccted the two worlds, lovely!

I had to giggle at this!!!

Yhm, this is absolutely wonderful, beautiful, fantastic.........!!!

I love every word of it!!!

Joy

Very touching and beautiful yhm

don't know how i missed this



cath

Thank you for reading this story, and for taking the time to respond. Your comments mean a great deal.

I absolutley loved this short story from beginning to end, and from someone who thinks they don't do fuzzies well, I think you need to rethink that, don't you?

There was poignant moments, touching and tender moments, absolutley heart felt moments, and if I was to quote anything, I don't think I could leave much out. So I'll just say fantastically done, you deserve a round of

I really enjoyed this story. The issue between them was entirely believable and you wrote it so honestly. There love and relationship shined through their words and actions wonderfully.

So beautiful!

That one was just very sweet. Jack's vulnerability and loving heart and Sue's understanding and reassurance - the love they both share is just
and on top of this, a baby on the way?

I'll read this one again, probably when I have one of those days where I feel like a sour half-wit

Thanks for another beautiful story,

Sly

aww sweet
glad sue was able to get him out of his funk.
yay they're married and expecting.