September 1st 1982
"You're going to be like a fish, Lewis. You'll hear everyone and everything as if you were an incredible fish."
That's what my doctor said when I was told I would be deaf for the rest of my life.
It was cool when I was younger, just reminding myself that I was a fish, I was a fish, I was a fish. But now that I'm older and know better, it's all just shitty. Looking back on it all now, losing your hearing at eight is not cool.
I was just like any kid, always wanting to play outside, always wanting to do something and be active. My sister had just gotten new Barbie dolls, and after a week, she had already grown bored of them. So I thought I'd play with them, not even thinking there was such a thing as gender norms and constructs I apparently had to abide by as an eight year old boy. So when the neighbor boys saw me playing with Barbie dolls in the front yard, they took it upon themselves to teach me that lesson.
I lost more than just my hearing that day.
YOU ARE READING
The 2,000 Letters
Short StoryHe wrote 2,000 letters. One every day since they met. For 2,000 days. And not a day longer.
