The woman, fuming, tried to drag her son out. But before leaving, he turned to us and shyly signed: “I’m sorry.” Then asked how to sign “friend.” Riley showed him. He signed it again — “Friend” — before the door shut behind them. James brought us cookies. “My sister’s deaf,” he said. “I’ve seen this before.” Later, a stranger whispered, “Your language is beautiful.”
We can’t change everyone. But every gesture — especially one from a brave little boy — can grow into something powerful. A seed of empathy. A sign for “friend.”