Sounds from Silence

"In those early weeks post op, he had been aware of sound but not of speech. We were sitting in the sofa having a lesson, practising ""a"" when suddenly it came out loud and clear. Then, hardly daring, I said "i". He followed very softly. I went on: "e", "o", "u" and each time Teddy followed. I felt awed, so filled with emotion I couldn't speak. Teddy was shining, as if a light had been switched on. Then, very slowly, he leaned over and kissed me very gently on the mouth. That kiss belongs to yo