Amelia trembled as he took her hand and was scared but blocked any emotion except happiness. She really wanted to learn this. She looked closely at his hand movements and how he corrected his then she tried again.
'Maple tree" she said in sign.

Kuratu smiled broadly at her. 'Good,' he said.

Amelia smiled.
'Thank-you' she said in sign then took out her sketchbook.
What else will you teach me? She wrote. She was hungry again...well not hungry but thirsty.

'Anything else, really,' Kuratu said. 'I chose the tree because it was closest.'

Amelia nodded. Okay, I'm ready, teach me as much as you can...or want! I'm thirsty, want me to get you something from my house? you look tired. she wrote trying to be nice. It was all she could do really. Amelia just hoped he wouldn't touch her again, it scared her.

Kuratu fought a small internal battle with himself. 'Only if it wouldn't bother you,' he said after a short moment.

She shook her head.
'Wait' she said in sign and ran to her house. She grabbed an apple for him and crackers to share, and then two water bottles. Her mother saw this.
"Where are you taking all this food?"she asked.
I want to have a snack outside...please mother? she wrote.
"Very well, come back soon okay?"she ordered smiling and kissing Amelia's head.
Amelia nodded and ran to the tree. She handed him a water bottle and the apple with some crackers.
'here you go' she said in sign.

'Thank you,' Kuratu signed. He'd never liked like bottled water - it was quite frankly a waste of money - but the apple had enough juice in it that it would hydrate as well as feed him, so he left the bottle on the ground and bit into the apple.

Amelia smiled and nodded.
She grabbed a cracker and ate it whole. 'You're...welcome' she signed struggling a bit. She looked down at the grass and ran her fingers through it. Amelia knew it was grass, just didn't know how to say it.
'Kuratu' she said in sign. then signed 'Amelia'.

Kuratu smiled. He showed her the sign for his name and her's.

Surprised, she did as he had done.
What next? we must hurry, if I don't return soon...mother will come looking for me. she wrote. and hoped he understood.
The sun was now setting and it was getting darker fast.

'Go home, then,' Kuratu said. 'I'll be here again tomorrow.'

Amelia frowned but nodded.
You go home too, and thank-you for teaching me. she wrote and smiled as she waved.
'Bye Kuratu' she said in sign.

'Bye, Amelia,' Kuratu signed back, watching her leave. When she had gone, he finished the food she'd brought, gave the bottled water to someone who asked for it, and lay down under the bench.

Amelia got home and her mother was sitting in the living room.
"You're home, good girl."she said smiling and holding out her arms.
Amelia ran to her mother and sat next to her. She was spoiled but not very spoiled. Her father got ohome and sat down with his family.
"Hello dear, Amelia."he said to them.
"Hello, I'll make you some coffee dear."said her mother and went to the kitchen.
Her father sighed and patted Amelia's head.

Kuratu lay with his arms behind his head, staring up at the fading light through the gaps in the bench. Amelia's comment about her mother being worried if she was late had made him remember his own parents, and his thoughts were filled with memories from his childhood.

Her father drank the coffee and yawned. They began to talk about the day and what happened. Amelia's father happened to look at the different drawings and happened to see the one of Kuratu.
"Who's this?"he asked kindly.
A person I saw...that's all. she wrote.
"He seems handsome no?"said her mother. Amelia smiled at this.
Yes, but we don't talk...he's a shy guy. besides...I, don't want to bother him. she wrote.
"We understand, and it's good to know you're respectful Amelia."said her father as he closed the book and gave it backe to her.
"Yes, that's how we raised you."added her mother. Her father then stood and yawned.
"I'm off to bed, I have a day off tomorrow. So now I have more time to spend with my two favorite girls."he said and hugged them both before going off to bed.
Amelia smiled and hugged him back and waved good night. Then her mother tucked her into bed and then left to her room to sleep as well.
Amelia smiled and quickly fell to sleep.

Kuratu eventually closed his eyes. It took a while, but he managed to fall asleep.

The next morning started off the same..except, she woke early and was the only one awake at the moment. Amelia lay in bed waiting for her parents to wake up.

Kuratu wandered around the couch, looking around. He wanted something to eat, but wasn't sure if it was worth spending the ten dollars he had. He should probably use it in case of emergency, he felt.

It seemed that no one was waking up. Maybe they were very sleepy. Amelia put on her pj's and tiptoed to the livingroom window and looked outside. She couldn't really see anyone outside. Maybe everyone was at school?
She shook her head and went back to bed and lay there...bored. She was going to wake up, eat and then what? maybe go shopping with her parents...

After a while, Kuratu checked his watch; school was going to start soon. He made the short walk to the building and got his things from his locker, then prepared for another school day.

Her parents woke up and she got out of bed with her baggy shirt, and baccy pants, some slippers and her sketch book and pencil. She walked to the kitchen and her hair was a funny mess.
Good morning mother and father. she wrote and sat down in her usual spot.
"Good morning Amelia."said her father kissing her head.
"Yes, good morning sweetie."answered her mother as she served pancakes and milk.
"I feel odd not working today, but I'm happy to know that I'm home."said her father and began to eat.
"Well, don't get used to it...they'll probably have you work tomorrow."answered her mother.
He nodded and continued to eat.
Amelia carefully cut her pancakes and began to eat.

Kuratu gratefully ate the free breakfast his school provided; he needed it. An hour later, class began, and he took careful notes.

Amelia kept eating and drank milk while her parents discussed the plans for the day.
"Well, we can go shopping for food, and after that....we can go get Amelia some things."said her mother.
Her father nodded. "You're right..we do need more food and I'm sure Amelia will find something she likes. We'll get coloring supplies since she likes to draw."he said turning to her. Amelia didn't look up but nodded as she continued to eat. When she was done she cleaned the table and dishes.
"Thank-you sweetie."said her mother happily.
You're welcome mother. To be honest...I do need some art supplies, I want to start painting as well. I would also like some books and if you want to get me this...some clothes would be nice. You don't have to get me all of that though. she wrote looking up at them.
"Don't worry Amelia, you will get everything."said her father.
"Yes, now go get fixed up."added her mother. Amelia did as she was told and put on her usual clothes and grabbed her goggles and put them over her eyes.
"You look adorable!"said her mother and took her hand.
"Let's go now."she said as she grabbed her purse and headed out the door with her. Amelia's father was already in the car. Once inside, they left to the stores.