The Vanity of a Voice

You see a 23 year old young man, Jackson, introduce his girlfriend to his grandmother who is celebrating her 85th birthday. He attempts to articulate and fingerspell her name but stops in the middle of his effort and runs off searching for something. He returns from his truck with a notepad and a pencil.

"Grandmother, This is my girlfriend Liliana."

Grandmother takes his girlfriend's hand and asks her if she can hear. Liliana shakes her head in place of saying "No." Grandmother doesn't seem too impressed with her grandson's girlfriend but carries out a curt smile towards her, looks her over once, and walks away into the kitchen.

...no big deal...

Jackson and Liliana spend the afternoon checking out the house that he grew up visiting since he was a baby. The Big Barn in the backyard. The Tool Shed. The old rusted tractor that has forever been engulfed in a sea of weeds. Jackson told stories about games he used to play with his cousins and the wonderful barbecues his uncles would cook up. Lily was intrigued and eager to meet her boyfriend's family. She was in love with Jackson and the times spent with him had been some of the best in her life to date.

"Does anyone in your family sign?", she asked with him curiosity.

Jackson' head dropped a little and his shoulders slouched as he replied,
"No..."

Lily seems perplexed and asks with subtle amazement written all over her face,
The "No one?"

"Nope, nobody...hey, let me show you the Big Oak Tree in the pasture. C'mon, let's check it out."

They walked way out there to a huge tree and did what young couples do. You know, all that kissing and giggling and hugging and some...

...Good times...

When dinner time came around, they gathered at the table with the whole family present. Mom and Dad. Uncle Bill and Uncle Mark's families. Grandmother and Granddaddy. The Whole Family. Before passing the dishes around, they began the meal with a prayer in which all tilted their heads down as Granddaddy began to recite his dinner blessing. Jackson and Lily were the only two who did not look down. They looked up at each other, each one engrossed with the other. Nothing else mattered.

"I Love you."
"I Love you too."

With the blessing said and the dishes passed, they ate as spoken words were exchanged over and through their presence. The laughter was not shared. They really didn't care that they were not included in whatever such joy it must have been. They had each other while these conversations went on. They ate, played footsie, and made silly faces. Mom brings out the birthday cake with a few candles lit and everyone gathers around Grandmother as they sing to her.

We go with it like a routine.
La La La....la-la-la...La La La...
Ha-ppy Birth-day...
...To...You...

Grandmother looks at Liliana with disbelief and hollers to everyone, "She told me she could not hear but I just heard that young lady sing beautifully. If Jackson keeps her long enough, well, we might just be able to get him to sing as well."

Everyone laughs.
Liliana fakes a laugh.
Jackson does not.

Uncle Mike approaches Lily and asks her to ask Jackson if he wants a beer. Jackson's niece, Zoey asks Lily to sing to her, "Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. Dad is hitting on Liliana. Aunt Kathy is asking Lily about her haircut. Suddenly, yes, suddenly she is important. Everyone wants to talk to her and get to know her.

...Why is this so?....

Grandmother hands Jackson a note with a tear in her eye, "Your girlfriend speaks really well. Don't lose her, I like her and I love you. Thank you for a wonderful birthday, I am happy for you and Lily."

...Why?...