I peered at the notebook before I smiled and nodded, then turned around my own backpack so I could take out the notebook I often used for drawing or my own personal notes instead of just my schoolwork.

Flipping to a fresh page, I wrote, My name is Jamie. The worker at the Home told us you can't hear. Can you read lips?

I was still keeping myself from asking all the questions I wanted to ask, but I thought that was one pretty important. I wondered if she used sign language, then thought it was very likely. Then I wondered how difficult it would be to learn. It must be a little lonely, I thought, not really being able to talk to anyone except through writing.