Monday 4 May 2015

Monday Flash Fic: He Talks With His Hands



He talks with his hands

I can’t believe we’re here.

I met Carlos on Facebook two years ago. He was a friend of a friend of a friend – you know how it goes.

One comment led to another and within a few days we were chatting whenever we were online together. It wasn’t easy. Time zones are a bitch, especially with Carlos living in America and me on the other side of the world, in Australia. But we managed and got closer. Common interests, similar views; we exchanged pictures and dreams while making tentative plans to get together one day.

Carlos told me he’d lost his hearing a few months after we’d started chatting online. He thought it would put me off, but I told him it didn’t make a difference to me. He was still the same Carlos and if he never got his hearing back, I would still want to know him, meet him, and be with him.

And now I’m here. Carlos is talking to me. His words are soft and hesitant; his hearing returned a few months ago and he’s still getting used to talking and listening again. I hear his words but concentrate on his hands. He doesn’t know this, but I learned American Sign Language as soon as he told me about his hearing loss.

His mouth tells me how glad he is to see me and that he hopes I can stay so we can get to know each other better. The words wash over me, almost unnoticed, as I watch his hands. I love you. Please say you’ll stay, his fingers plead with me.


“As long as you’ll have me.” I whisper the words before I press my lips to his wrist, while savouring his surprised gasp.

****

295 words.

As always more stories inspired by the same picture can be found in the Monday Flash Fic Facebook group. Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. There is a sweetness overload with this week's stories already. <3 it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing wrong with a load of sweetness, especially after we went rather darker last week.

      Delete
  2. Nice. This pic didn't speak to me at all. Was curious what you guys would do with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It happens Jaycee. Hopefully whatever we come up with next will work better for you. I'm glad you liked it.

      Delete
  3. Another wonderfully sweet story. I'm loving all the happy this morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Allison. Yes, Brigham and I both went sweet this time. I wonder what next week will bring.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Thank you Sara. I'm so glad you liked my words.

      Delete
  5. This is beautiful, Helena. The image drew my attention and your words held me in their grasps till the end.

    Thank you for stopping by and reading my teaser. Your comment put a smile on my face. You now have a new follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kai. Sorry it took me so long to find your comment. Blogger is not always great about informing me about new comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed my story and I'm delighted to have you as a follower. I hope I'll live up to expectations.

      Delete