Each one showed hands positioned in different ways. An open, thick book lay on the bed. Written on its cover were the words:
“American Sign Language for Children”
I stood there frozen.
“What is this?” I finally managed to ask.
Emily looked up at me.
“A new boy joined our class. His name is Liam. He can’t hear and doesn’t speak. The other children laughed at him because he talks with his hands.”
Her father continued explaining:
“Emily told me about him. When I was younger, I worked at a school for children with hearing impairments. She asked me to teach her sign language.”
“But why did you hide this from me?”
Emily walked over and took my hand.
“Liam’s birthday is on Friday. His mom said that no one at school has ever wished him a happy birthday in his own language. We wanted to surprise him. Grandpa
