“She said thank you, young man. That made her heart happy.” the old man grinned. “What’s your name?” 

“Hys.” I both spoke and spelled my name in sign language.  

“You’re so sweet.” the old man grinned. “I’m Henery.” 

[L-o-r-e-t-t-a.] the woman smiled. 

“Nice to meet the both of you.” I paused. [Thank you.] I signed once more. 

[Goodbye, H-y-s.] Loretta signed back.  

“You’re a good man, Hys. Thank you.” Henery smiled warmly, carrying the books with him, holding Loretta’s hand as they both walked out of the shop. 

“I must brush up on my skills!” I told myself, nodding.  

“...Heavy thunderstorms-!” the radio beside me turned to static. “Stay inside at all costs-!” it faded. 

A bright flash snapped my attention to the front windows, loud thunder seeming to shake my bones. Ah... I smiled warmly. Today turned out to be a good day after all. I walked to the door, opening it; a flood of harsh pattering sounds delighted me, the heavy rain bouncing off the street. I stepped outside, letting the raindrops hit my face. I love this. 

Once thoroughly drenched, I raced upstairs to change my clothes, grinning childishly as I started back down the shop, freezing as a large figure was pressed against the door. 

“Hey!?” they muffled, knocking on the glass and wood door. “It’s fuckin’ raining the whole gods damn zoo out here!” 

“C-coming-!” I stuttered, rushing to open the door for them. “I’m sorry but we’re-” they stepped in, closing the door harshly behind them; a tall man stood in front of me. 

“Thank you! Do you think I could stay ‘til the rain lets up? I'm supposed to be heading to a meeting, but my driver got... into an accident so I had to walk myself-” he grinned. 

“Uh...” I blinked a few times. 

“I’ll pay for lodging.” he pulled out a stack of bills. “How’s a grand sound-?” 

“What?” I snapped. “First, we’re closed. Second, sure, you can stay, but you must leave once the rain lets up. And third! A grand?! $1,000!? For simply letting you stay!?” 

“Oh- right, sorry-” he hummed. “A grand is so cheep of me! Name your price, kid,” he walked over to the register.  

“No- stop-” I paused. “You don’t need to pay to stay. It's fine.” 

“You sure?” he tilted his head. “Just gonna pass up on money like that?” 

“If you want to pay for letting you stay, best give your money to the owner, she deserves it. But even then, we are fine without being in debt to someone-” I shook my head.