Chapter 3: Learning a New Language
The following months changed both families.
Alexander enrolled in intensive American Sign Language classes.
So did every member of his executive staff.
Meetings became accessible.
Family dinners became conversations instead of silent meals.
Matthew no longer sat alone.
Lucy kept practicing, and Matthew became her patient teacher.
Sometimes they studied astronomy together.
Sometimes they read poetry.
Sometimes they simply sat beneath the stars without saying anything at all.
Alexander often watched from a distance.
Every lesson reminded him how much of his son's childhood he had missed.
One evening he signed awkwardly to Matthew.
I'm sorry.
Matthew stared at him.
Then slowly signed back.
Keep trying.
May you like
It wasn't forgiveness.
But it was hope.
