He smiled with more respect than disappointment.

“I will.”

PART 17: A Year of Ordinary Things

In the year that followed, Pearl grew taller, changed schools, and became fiercely protective of her right to communicate in whatever way worked best.

Sometimes she signed so quickly her father struggled to follow.

Sometimes she spoke, especially when telling a joke.

Sometimes she chose silence and handed people a drawing instead.

There was no single moment when she was suddenly fixed.