Mary’s green eyes scanned over the restaurant and, once she found Jodi’s table, gifted her with an apologetic smile before walking over. “I’m sorry I’m so late,” the artist read on the young woman’s lips. Jodi rose from the chair just in time to be awarded with a hello kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t worry about it.” The redhead shrugged it off as the maitre d’ pulled the seat back for Mary. She watched as Mary’s mouth moved while she took the offered seat, but she couldn’t make out the words. “I’m sorry… I can’t understand what you are saying.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I keep forget…” her apology was cut off by Jodi’s relaxed smile. “I was saying that I had to submit an article before 3… that threw my schedule off. How about you?”

“Nothing quite as exciting… I woke up at noon, worked on some sketches, read a bit, took a two hour bath, dressed and came here…”

A young waiter approached them. “Anything to drink, señoritas?”

Even though the waiter was standing next to their table and Jodi had a clear view of his mouth, Mary couldn’t help but relay the waiter’s words. The artist’s immediate response was to correct Mary by thanking her but assuring her that it wasn’t a good idea to translate for her unless Jodi requested, but she thought better of it. The girl was still not sure how to deal with deaf people, and saying something now will probably just embarrass her. Mary looked up at the waiter and said, “Just some sparkling water with a slice of lemon.”

“Another mojito,” ordered Jodi before returning her attention to her date. “Are you sure you don’t want some wine? They make an excellent…”

“Oh, it’s okay,” Mary assured her. “I’m ready to order too… I’ll be having a string bean salad. Hold the dressing.”

Jodi surely hoped the austere diet was due to health reasons and not aesthetics, because this woman looked perfect just the way she was. Joking in good nature, she said, “You do know it’s blasphemy to come to a Latin restaurant and order a salad, right?” Before Mary could answer, the waiter asked the artist for her own order. “Chuletas con mofongo.” Her Spanish must have been rustier than her English, because the waiter had no idea what she had just said. So she just pointed at the item on the menu and added, “I’m famished.” The waiter left with their orders, and Jodi was allowed to return her full attention to her date and said what she had meant to say since she first laid eyes on the girl. “You look really, really beautiful today, Mary.”