Silent Love: By Jefferson Bert

Our story begins sometime in the not too distant future where I am still trying to find my girlfriend having had no luck in doing so. At the same time, I’m also attempting to start a career as an author in order to do try and do something meaningful with my life and boost my finances. This is despite warnings from mom that it takes time and money to get books published hence it will not happen overnight. As I was already aware of this fact, I was not upset for her bringing it up. At the same time though, I’m jealous of Chris’ wife who has successfully written and launched a book at this point and even made some money on it.

As Chris returns from his trip with his wife, I have been given news that my books are not good enough to be published not to mention having a sale at the local book store. Powerless to do anything, although still sympathetic to my situation, mom says that it was a good try but that it will not work. For weeks, this bothers me especially when I do my weekly visits to Chris’ house where his wife’s newfound semi wealth has caused me to feel jealous.

As jealousy leads to yet another fight between Chris and his wife and I, we shockingly end the friendship after the fight spirals out of control and becomes physical.

Returning home, I have an anxiety attack where staff are unable to console me despite their best efforts. The swearing doesn’t stop as I am calling Chris every name in the book, his wife every name in the book while even using his grandmother’s name in vain and saying, “You got what you wanted you old (insert swear word.”) At one point, I scream so loud that my vocal chords burst leaving me unable to speak. As I try to explain myself,l I cannot get the words out instead having to use my computer to write, “I NEED HELP!” Staff read this off the computer and realize something is wrong. They immediately call an ambulance to have me rushed to the hospital.

As I arrive, mom (who is oblivious to what has happened up to this point,) calls me and realizes I have not spoken. She dismisses this as me being in a bad mood until the doctor takes the phone and explains what happened. Mom is rightfully horrified and comes to the hospital to be by my side.

Doctors run tests on me and it determined that my vocal chords have shattered completely due to the excessive screaming I did in the aftermath of the fight with Chris. This naturally concerns mom as she worries I may not be able to advocate for myself.l The doctor says they can release me as long as I use my computer to advocate for myself anytime I need to speak.

Doctors tell mom I may not be able to use the phone at all until my vocal chords heal where she suggests that we use email to communicate instead. The doctor says there’s another option though. He says that they can assign a worker to do all of my communicating for me at no cost due to the severity of the situation.

Though mom is opposed to this option and disappointed that I cannot advocate for myself, she accepts the offer on the grounds that she would rather me go this route than be in the hospital until my vocal chords heal, (which would have been the only other option.)

With this, the doctor introduces the new worker to me. I was shocked to learn that she also has a disability although it is much less severe than the one I have. She walks with a cane but is not blind and is able to do things normally otherwise. She just cannot walk long distances. Her name was Megan and she was from England. She had this great English accent and the shoulder length black hair that I had initially wanted in a girl. While discussing the type of help I would need in her care, I send mom a text saying, ‘tell her I need help with showers as well.” Mom catches on to my intended comment and tells me to stop saying that nothing will change other than her needing to be my advocate. I will still get staff help as I would normally. She also says that I should not take advantage of her generosity and should still do what I can for myself such as picking up after myself and being up on time for staff, pretty much things which don’t require verbal communication.

Throughout the next several weeks, I continue to use my computer to communicate with staff. When I’m on the phone with somebody, the intended conversation from me would be written on the computer as she sits at the desk with me and verbally tells the person I’m talking to what I’m writing. If I was on the phone with mom for example, I would listen to what she says like normal and would write my intended response on the computer for Megan to read out loud. If I wanted to tell her what I was having for supper for example, I would write on my computer the intended meal which Megan would verbalize to mom. If I was having chicken for supper, I would write “Chicken” on the computer when Megan would verbally communicate this to mom. I would do this with all the phone calls I have while in my condition. What I need to say to the person would be written on my computer and communicated through Megan.

Anyway, one night, she divulged to me that her boyfriend had just left her and she was feeling depressed. I put my hand on her arm and started rubbing it where we had our first kiss. I then wrote on my computer….”I love you forever no matter what,” after which we begin kissing. She asks me if I want to be her boyfriend. I write her another message that reads, “As long as you stay with me forever. I know I haven’t been able to express how much joy you have brought me in my time of need but you know what? I simply cannot find the words to express how much I’ve fallen in love with you even though we’ve only known each other for a short time. I could never thank you enough for what you have done for me but would you give me the rest of my life to try?” Just then, I pull out a diamond ring and write to her….”will you marry me?” With a smile on her face and a tear in her eye, she nods her head yes and says, “nothing would make me happier.”

After going to bed that night and waking up the next morning, I hear my phone ring with Megan not present yet. I decide to answer it as it is mom calling. As I answer the call, I send her a text that Megan is not present yet. Mom says to have her call her when she arrives and we continue to chat through text discussing our plans for the day. When mom announces her intention to come and visit. I began cheering loudly while saying “I’m looking forward to seeing you mom.” My voice had returned to normal.

“Jeff you can talk! I’m so happy but you know what this means don’t you? This means you can say goodbye to Megan as you don’t need help anymore.” Mom said

Unable to let Megan go willingly, I pretend to still not be able to talk until mom admits that I can.

“You’ve done us a world of good Megan but your services are no longer needed. Mom says

Just then, Megan heard the first words she has heard from me since I met her.

“Please don’t go Megan, I love you.” I say

At this point, mom was unaware of the fact that we had fallen in love. “What do you mean, you love her?” she asks

“I can’t believe you can talk now but yes, Jeff and I are in love and I would love him whether he was able to talk or not. As a matter of fact, I love him even more now that he can talk.” she says He is just the type of person I want to spend my life with and I know we need each other. Sure he needs me but I need him too and we haven’t even told you the best news of all, we’re getting married!”

With that, Megan and I embark on the journey of love that lasts a lifetime. We eventually move into our own place and I finally get a book published in the end titled “The Road to Love. A story about finding love where you least expect it,” which we both cowrote about our journey as a couple together.

With that, Megan and I live happily ever after and as for me on the phone, well, I’ve certainly made up for lost time when I talk to mom. It’s a challenge not to get me to speak but to get me to shut up and to get me to stop calling her. This eventually lead to Megan cutting the phone line at mom’s request but then having us move in with mom to be one big happy family when I realize I was so lost without my phone and the ability her 24/7. However, as this story dictates, I would be even more lost without Megan, but I still love calling mom!

The End