Deafening.

She was the best thing that ever happened to us, but I had no idea about the ride she?d take us for.
My wife and I had been trying for a kid for a year or so, when she finally came to me one day with a big old ?+? on the pregnancy test. Months and months of trying finally paid off, and the smile on her face was all I needed for proof.
About 282 days go by, and out comes the most beautiful thing I?ve ever seen. We named her Charlie after my great grandma. Oceanic blue eyes, and surprisingly long hair for a newborn. My heart melted when the doctor let me hold her. The issue came 2 months later.
My wife and I had noticed that Charlie was having trouble waking up to our calls. She didn?t seem to react to us saying her name, or even when we clapped a little to wake her up. My wife became worried, so we brought Charlie in to the doctors.
A quick hearing screening showed no sound echo coming from her ears. Charlie was diagnosed completely deaf.
This news brought my wife to many fits of tears. The doctor told us there wasn?t much we could do about it besides start learning ways to help Charlie grow in a silent world, so that?s exactly what we did.
Years went by, and our family was doing great. My wife and I learned sign language fluently and made sure Charlie was always on top of her school work. Struggles came up here and there about Charlie?s disability, but it was never anything we couldn?t get over. Then, in 2013, new hearing aids and surgeries were coming out that supposedly ?cured? deafness. Charlie, being 14 already, was super enthused about it and begged my wife and I to get that done for her. We wanted more than anything to do that for her, but it was too expensive at the time.
3 years go by. Not a single month passes without Charlie bringing up that hearing surgery. That?s why then, on her 17th birthday, my wife and I bring her in to get the surgery done.
December 24th, 2016. My wife and I bring Charlie in for the surgery. I?ve never seen her more excited in my life. Everything is ready to go. 2 hours go by. My wife and I are in the waiting room. For the whole 2 hours my wife talks of how much easier things are going to be. Of course I?m thinking about the wasted money gone into sign language lessons and special classes for Charlie, but that?s besides the point. Another half hour goes by and the door to the room twists. Charlie walks in with the doctor trailing closely.
?The surgery seems to have gone well, but there?s one last step?
My wife just about shouts with excitement.
The doctor continues, ?these devices right here need to be put in her ears. Would you like to do the honor??
My wife grabs my hand, stands up, and walks to Charlie. Charlie smiles, and we can tell she can barely control her excitement. Together, my wife and I put in the electronic devices, but Charlie?s smile vanishes. She looks worried.
She signs to us, ?Mom. Dad. Where did the voices go??


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