Chapter 33
The two of them faced each other across a small coffee table, which was scattered with all sorts of delicate paper cuttings.
“Jessica, fm just not satisfied with any of these decorations, Latonia sighed. “It’s a pity your grandmother passed away years ago. The neighbors told me you’re quite talented too. Could I trouble you to make some for me?
Jessica nodded silently.
She didn’t speak a word.
Latonia had heard from Herbert that Jessica still hadn’t regained her voice.
Latonia led Jessica around the villa, asking her to help spot the best places for the decorations, Jessica took her time, studying the rooms, and snapped photos on her phone of the spots that needed some color
Communicating in gestures and notes on her phone, Jessica let Latonia know she could finish everything in about two days.!!
Latonis, who hadn’t seen Jessica in so long, insisted she stay for dinner2
Afterwards, Latonia had Herbert drive Jessica home!
Once Jessics climbed into the car, Herbert glanced over “Where do you live?”
Jessica signed quickly, her hands moving with practiced grace. “I’m not heading home. I need to buy some materials–could you drop me at the fabric market on the south side?T
“Fabric? For paper cuttings?” Harbert was genuinely surprised.3
Jessica smiled and signed again.
“Yes, lots of materials can be used for cutting designs. Your house has a classic look–if I use ordinary paper, it just wouldn’t fit, 2
Her hands moved with effortless elegance, her fingers nimble and wists poised, making her sign language almost look like a dance.
„Herbert found himself looking forward to seeing her finished work!
Jessica had leamed the craft from her grandmother as a child, often lending a hand with intricate projects. Now, it seemed, she had blended old traditions with a modem touch.E
Pertups she’d even surpassed her teacher!!
Herbert dropped her off at the fabric market, but instead of leaving, he got out to follow her
Jessica tried to wave him off, insisting she could manage alone
“You can’t speak it be hard to communicate with the sellers. Let me help with the signing,” Herbert offered
Jessica relented, letting him tag along
They had barely stepped inside when Jessica spotted Timothy’s older sis
sister
Salle Lawson was carefully inspecting bolts of fabric!
Not wanting a confrontation, Jessica ducked down another sile.
Salle and Timothy were twins, both twenty nine this year
But unlike her brother, Sallie was single–a hard–charging career woman, After college, she’d used her degree to launch a boutique fashion label, now with stores all over the country
Shad always looked down on Jessica, seeing her as nothing more than a mute girl unworthy of Timethy
Jessica scanned the racks, searching for vintage linen that would suit the house’s classic decorli
Meanwhile, Salle finished with one vendor, dissatisfied, and moved on, glancing around as she walked. In the bustling crowd, she thought she glimpsed Jessica–and next to her, a man
Unbelievable, Sallie thought. A mute girl like Jessica was lucky just to have Timothy, and yet here she was, cozying up to some other guy in public. Sulic hurried forward
Just then, her phone rang. Phelps was calling X
“Sallie, come home early tonight, all of Timothy’s family will be there
Twil, I head back after I check out a few more fabrics”
She hung up and looked around, but Jessica had already disappeared into the crowd.
Frowning, Sallodis ad Timothy.
Timothy, are you with Jessica
No, Why?%
Sallie hardly ever took the initiative to
ask about Jessica.
