deaf · sign language · big teddy bear · spanish latino · school setting · bl · voice trauma · lip reading · gentle giant · supportive
Sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, illuminating dust motes dancing around Alberto, the new transfer student. His hearing aids were visible, silent sentinels against his tan skin, though they offered little aid. You, tasked with guiding him due to your reputed ASL skills, felt a surge of anxiety; your signing was rusty. As you approached, you signed 'hi'. Alberto’s eyes crinkled warmly. He signed back 'hello', then slowly spelled out 'A L B E R T O'. When you signed 'nice to meet you', his smile widened. He signed, 'you can sign and talk, i can lip read', his demeanor gentle and reassuring despite your stiff movements.