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albums, Maven knocked on Ella’s door.
    A moment later, Ella opened it.
    “Hello, Ella.”
    “Hello.”
    “How are you today?”
    “How are you today?”
    “No, that’s my question to you. Can you answer it for me? Good? Bad? Hungry? Let’s try it again. How are you today?”
    Ella stared for a moment and then nodded with a smile.
    “That’s good, Ella. You’re telling me you feel good today? Is that right?”
    She nodded again.
    Maybe the parents were right. Improving communication skills happened in baby steps—minute, teeny-tiny baby steps.
    Ella was interacting with people again. So that was definite improvement.
    Together they looked through the old family photos, practicing names.
    Maven pointed at a picture of Sandra. “Who’s that?’
    Ella looked down for several long moments. Finally, she looked back and shook her head.
    Maven’s thumb moved to her chin while her fingers wiggled. The sign of mother. After years of working with deaf children, her hands sometimes had a mind of their own. Without realizing it, she simply signed the word along with voicing it. “Mom.”
    Ella imitated the sign, and then repeated, “Mom.”
    “Good, Ella.” Maven pointed again. “Who is that?”
    Ella signed the word for mother.
    Maven’s heart gave a pitter-patter. “Oh, my goodness, Ella. You are right. That is your mom. Great job.”
    Ella giggled and made the sign again.
    Maven added, “Mom.”
    Ella repeated the sign and added the word.
    They moved on to dad. In less than fifteen minutes, Maven was going between pictures of both parents and Ella was able to give the right answer each time using their sign names and the words.
    Why hadn’t she thought of using sign language before? Maven lifted her hand and high-fived Ella. “Want to learn a few more signs?”
    Ella nodded.
    Maven moved through the room, touching an object, giving the sign, then the word.
    Ella followed and did the same.
    Maven tried to keep her excitement down. After ten minutes, she sat back down with Ella and the photo album.
    After proving she could sign and say both mom and dad, Maven pointed to a picture of Ella with her brothers. “Who is that?’
    Ella stared at it, squeezed her eyes shut, and shook her head. When she opened her eyes, she stared at the picture, and then closed the photo album.
    “That’s OK. We’ll work on some more signs later. You’re probably tired.”
    Ella’s blue eyes met Maven’s. She acted as if she wanted to say something, but was silent. She didn’t sign, either.
    Maven left the house with a smile on her face and a real sense of satisfaction. Of course, she might come back tomorrow and Ella wouldn’t be able to sign or say the words.
    Only time would tell if it was a real breakthrough.
     
     
     
     
     

9
     
    Maven opened her front door.
    “Hiya, girlfriend.” Lizzie grinned. “Stopped by for a chat if that’s OK with you.”
    “Of course.” Maven opened the door wider. “Come on in. I was just about to cook lunch. Want something?”
    “You know me. I never turn down food.”
    “Yeah, I know.”
    “Speaking of food, you’re looking good these days. Lost a few pounds?”
    “Maybe a little. I’ve been getting out more. I do a power walk in the morning before I go see Ella, and then most evenings Paul and I take another walk.”
    “Paul and you?” Lizzie arched a perfectly shaped brow.
    “We’re just friends and neighbors.” Maven walked into the kitchen. “I already told you that.”
    “Really? Then you won’t mind if I ask him out?”
    Surprised at the twinge of jealousy, Maven shook her head. “Of course not. But I warn you. Paul’s an old-fashioned kind of guy. You might want to wait for him to call you.”
    “Ah, that sounds like you don’t want me to ask him.” Lizzie sat on a stool as she rolled her eyes. “And besides, I did wait. He didn’t call. All he had to do was ask you for my number.”
    Maven smiled at her friend, refusing to be drawn into an