More Than Ears

First Day--ASL Grammar (3)

Okay, so just to try it, I've written the sign language in this chapter more like the word-for-word translations.  If this is bad please let me know and I'll write the rest of the chapters using English grammar.  Sometimes the grammar can be hard to understand.  I've included little words like 'to', 'am', 'so' and 'or' to make it easier to read.  However, if someone is being interpreted I used English grammar.  I would really love feedback on this!  However, if this is too much I've included an English grammar version next chapter.  Abschied, Kli

It was the Saturday before school started.  Anja was nervous almost to the point of inability to focus on other things.  Bruno was nonplussed; for him it was the same as ever.  He was unhappily packing his bags all day for moving back to his school.  This time, instead of a ten-minute ride it would be closer to two hours to get there.  The move that had crossed state lines was just barely close enough to keep him in the same school.

Are you coming? Raina asked her two daughters.  Ten minutes from now, I'm leaving.

Are we stopping at my school too? Anja asked.

Maybe, I need to think about it. Raina answered, having already expected the request since before she had asked. Kristin?

If Anja doesn't go, I will.

I can't go with you, why? Anja demanded, turning away from her mother to face Kristin more directly.

I go, don't want but if you not go I go with mom, to hangout (A/N: this is more like the ASL format that I was talking about.  I hope it's not too confusing.  If so, please comment!) Kristin answered quickly.

I stay to get ready for school.

True to her word, Raina was packing up the car with Bruno's school supplies and clothes when her husband came out.  He was wearing a pair of green shorts and a black t-shirt.  Interpreter called, Anja where?  Behind him, Bruno was dragging a suitcase that was full of clothing and a few video games he had managed to sneak in while his mother was looking away.

Upstairs, her room.  Raina answered, leaning against Bruno's other suitcase in an attempt to push it farther into her minivan. Kristin where?

Living room, want me tell here come? he asked, ready to grab Anja from her room.

Yes, please, she said.  Moments later, Kristin was standing outside the car in a tank top and shorts, her brown hair in a quick ponytail. 

 You come?

Yeah, Kristin said, a nod of her head to emphasize.

The ride was long and boring, taking close to an hour each way.  Bruno looked out the window as though condemned even though he was excited to see his friends after the summer break.  Most of the children in his school, an all Deaf academy, had been in attendance since they began school or soon after.  By now, the start of  fifth grade, there were few students that had not been in a residential school before. 

When they arrived at the school, Bruno refused any help to carry his belongings upstairs to his room for the week.  Despite his denial, Raina tugged a large suitcase behind her until she reached his room.  Already, two boys had set up and the third was in the process.

Bruno! the other boy signed.  If he had been hearing, his voice would have been echoing off the walls.  Instead, his hands began to fly as though they were controlled by someone else.  I surprised you arrive, late almost!  Summer break fun? I visit aunt, live Texas.  The sheer speed at which his hands moved did not look like they could have come from a boy his height but from a much larger child.