Chapter 11 - THE WOMAN WHO WALKED AWAY
I quit the restaurant two months later.
Not because Salvatore asked me to.
He didn't.
I quit because I was tired.
Tired of Brett's jokes.
Tired of being treated like I was disposable.
Tired of pretending I didn't want more.
I had saved enough money to return to school part-time.
I wanted to become a certified interpreter.
Not just someone who knew ASL.
Someone trained to provide professional communication access.
Salvatore encouraged me.
But he didn't offer to pay for everything.
He asked what support I wanted.
I appreciated that.
One afternoon, Brett called.
He offered me my old job back.
I laughed.
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“Business has been difficult.”
I smiled.
“Then I hope you learn to treat your staff better.”
I hung up.
For the first time in years, I felt free.
Eli recovered slowly.
He attended medical appointments.
Worked with counselors.
And eventually returned to designing.
He started making jewelry again.
One day, he gave Salvatore a small silver pin.
A bird.
Salvatore stared.
Eli signed:
Thank you for helping my sister.
Salvatore shook his head.
She helped me first.
Eli smiled.
May you like
Then signed:
I know.
