| Grandmother Stuart had been deaf for twelve years | | | | shots he proposed to take on our premises. |
| when I was born, a victim of the 1919 influenza | | | | On one such occasion, Harry stepped off a trolley at |
| epidemic. Because she was a widow, unable to fend | | | | the corner stop just as Mother and Grandmother |
| for herself in a hearing world, she spent six months | | | | donned their hats. We were about to set out for |
| with each daughter. She arrived at our home each fall | | | | Kaufman's Department Store in center city, a journey |
| as regularly as the robins deserted Pittsburgh for | | | | I always enjoyed. |
| warmer climes. | | | | Harry used deafness to his advantage, as |
| Since my father was the only one of her two | | | | Grandmother often did. He read lips, but only when |
| sons-in-law willing and able to make the rugged | | | | he wanted to. On this occasion, he feigned an inability |
| 300-mile round trip from Pittsburgh to Ritchie County, | | | | to understand Mother's explanation that we were on |
| West Virginia, it fell upon him to set aside several | | | | our way out, no matter how many times she |
| days each fall and spring for the ritual of delivering | | | | repeated it. Even as she labored to communicate |
| Grandmother to the daughter next on her schedule. | | | | with him, he unpacked his photographic equipment |
| The three adults were wedged into the front seat of | | | | and motioned me to follow his directions. |
| our vintage Chevrolet coupe, Father at the wheel, | | | | For the next few hours, he posed me unmercifully. |
| Mother and Grandmother alternately holding me, while | | | | He snapped me in the porch swing, leaning on the |
| the trunks and boxes containing her clothes and | | | | railing, sitting in the wing chair, holding my dolls, |
| treasures were stacked in the rumble seat. | | | | pedaling my tricycle, perched at Grandmother's feet |
| "I married into a two for one deal," Father laughingly | | | | as she read to me, and biting into an apple. |
| explained to friends who wondered at his patience. | | | | Wearied by Harry's relentless pursuit of the perfect |
| When guests came to call at our home on Madeline | | | | photograph and the disappointment of missing our |
| Street in the Carrick neighborhood of Pittsburgh, | | | | planned outing, I dissolved into tears. Mother, |
| Grandmother maintained a perpetual enigmatic smile, | | | | defeated, removed her hat and headed for the |
| her defense against the outside world. She sat | | | | kitchen to prepare dinner, leaving Grandmother to |
| quietly, intent on observing their mouths as they | | | | entertain Harry. |
| conversed with my parents, but although she | | | | Since neither could hear, they shouted questions at |
| professed to be able to read lips, her claim far | | | | each other. No matter that each was unable to grasp |
| exceeded her talent. The most common | | | | what the other was saying, they communed happily. |
| communication alternatives were raised voices or | | | | "Isn't it a lovely day?" Grandmother asked. |
| written notes. | | | | "I didn't get that. Some kind of hay?" Harry replied. |
| Grandmother's abhorrence of alcohol was one of the | | | | "You got some pay? For one of your pictures?" |
| few topics she volunteered to discuss when guests | | | | "No, I don't photograph pitchers, or any kind of still |
| were present. Like as not, she would lean toward the | | | | life." |
| nearest visitor, point to Father, and confide, "Ernest | | | | "Who's still alive? Your Aunt Elizabeth?" |
| is a fine person most of the time, but he drinks so | | | | And so went their noisy, nonsensical exchange until |
| much root beer I'm surprised he still has his senses." | | | | Father arrived home and Mother invited everyone to |
| The guest always nodded solemnly to acknowledge | | | | sit down at the dining table. As always, Harry |
| Grandmother's effort at conversation, then joined my | | | | accepted graciously, not wishing to refuse mother's |
| parents in a hearty laugh. Grandmother's deafness | | | | hospitality. He ate heartily, an outward expression of |
| prevented her from discerning that she was the | | | | his personal satisfaction after a lengthy, vigorous chat |
| subject of everyone's merriment, so she smiled | | | | with a kindred soul. |
| broadly to convey her appreciation of their presence. | | | | Grandmother and Harry continued their incongruous |
| The one visitor who elevated her spirits and made | | | | conversation throughout dinner, while Mother and |
| her feel normal was Harry Lynch, the deaf son of a | | | | Father exchanged grins and shushed me each time I |
| close friend who had provided comfort and wisdom | | | | started to say something they feared could be |
| during Grandmother's adjustment to hearing loss. | | | | misinterpreted by our guest. After Harry left, Mother |
| While in his teens, Harry entered Pittsburgh's Deaf | | | | agreed with Father that the day had its humorous |
| School to study industrial arts and photography. After | | | | moments, despite her dreadful headache from all the |
| completing his courses, he began a career of sorts, | | | | yelling. |
| exploring the city by trolley and bus armed with his | | | | The final twist was the prize Harry won for a |
| trusty camera. | | | | photograph he took that day, a shot of me holding |
| Several times each year, Harry arrived at our house | | | | my Snow White doll and trying desperately to smile |
| unannounced, his camera loaded with fresh film. In his | | | | while tears cascaded down my cheeks. |
| vest pocket was a lengthy, hand-written agenda of | | | | |