Kuratu did, trying to distract himself from the thought of dinner. He walked over to a table and tapped it. 'Table,' he said, then made the sign.

Amelia looked confused but did what he did.
'Table' she said in sign satisfied. Amelia smiled up at him, she was happy she found someone who was nice to her and actually wanted to take some time and teach her sign language.

Kuratu smiled and nodded. He tapped a chair. 'Chair.' He made the sign for her.

Amelia focused and tried it.
'Chair' to her surprise, she got it right again...but these were small words and she knew they had to start out small.

Kuratu nodded, smiling more. He pointed to more pieces of furniture, saying their names and showing Amelia the signs.

Amelia did very well until they got to drawer.
'Draer' she said in sign.

Kuratu made the sign again, more slowly this time.

Amelia was mad at herself for not knowing. But deep inside, she was happy he was helping her.
'Drawer' she said in sign yawning.
The dinner was still not ready, her mother decided to make spaghetti and french garlic bread. The aroma filled the kitchen and some went to the living room.
Amelia smiled at Kuratu.
Thank-you for taking your time and teaching me how to talk in sign language! she wrote.

'You're welcome,' Kuratu said, smiling a bit at her. He paused, closing his eyes a bit and trying to control himself at the smell of the food before opening his eyes. 'Would you like to continue?'

'Of course please' she said in sign.

Kuratu went on teaching Amelia. He was finding it a little hard to distract himself from the smell of food.

You okay? she wrote.
"Dinner is served!"called her mother as she set the table and served the food.
"You too Kuratu!"she said politely. Amelia smiled and walked to the table and sat down to eat.

Kuratu took a second, then turned and walked to the table at a measured pace. He watched as the food was placed on the table and served, hoping it wasn't obvious how hungry he was.

I'm happy to have met you... she wrote and placed it on the floor before beggining to eat silently and slowly. Her parents smiled and ate as well.
Amelia's mother broke the silence.
"So Kuratu? since you're going to teach my Amelia sign language, just come over when you feel it's the right time."she said politely. Amelia's father nodded.
"Yes, a friend of Amelia is always welcome here!" he added.

Kuratu paused in his eating to thank them, then continued. He forced himself to eat at a measured pace, but it was hard.

"You're quite welcome!" replied Amelia's mother. Kuratu was a very polite young man in their eyes. It was no surprise Amelia got along with him. And it was nice of him to offer some of his time to help Amelia.
"But pardon me for asking, but shouldn't you call you're parents and let them know you're here?" asked Amelia's mother named Jewel.

Kuratu paused with his fork just above his plate. He looked down, silent.

"What's wrong?"she asked.
Amelia nodded and stopped eating to look at him with a worried look in her face. She grabbed her sketchbook and opened it up.
Are you okay Kuratu? she wrote.
Amelia's father stopped eating and so did her mother.

Kuratu blinked and shook his head slowly. 'Never mind,' he said, picking up his fork again.

Amelia shrugged to her parents and continued to eat.
"Sorry if I offended you..."said Amelia's mother before quietly continuing to eat along with her husband who felt just as bad.
I'm sorry too... wrote Amelia and continued to eat.

Kuratu shook his head. 'Don't be sorry about it,' he said. He tried pushing the memories out of his mind.

Amelia patted his shoulder as she ate and hoped that helped a bit.
"I feel horrible though."whispered Amelia's mother.

Kuratu glanced at Amelia and smiled gently at her. He finished his food and sat back in the chair, feeling a bit better.

Amelia glanced at him and smiled a small sideways smile.
The family continued to eat and soon they all finished. Once finished, Amelia helped her mother clean the dishes and clean the table. Her father took out the trash and then came in and began to look through the mail.
You want to continue teaching me? or would you like to take a break? wrote Amelia after finishing her chores.

'Let's continue,' Kuratu said. 'If you feel like it, of course.'