If Regan hadn't already been watching the people walking around her, she might not have noticed the girl and her dog, or the wave. She smiles a bit wanly — mostly out of shyness — and waves back. She can see the girl's mouth moving, and she catches a few easy-to-read words, but she doesn't answer. Instead, she pulls out a notebook and flips to a page she's clearly prepared for this moment.

My name is Regan. I'm deaf. She shows the girl, then turns the notebook around again and adds, I like your dog.