that same ear.
One night, she held the notebook out to him.
*How long?*
Gideon hesitated.
*Since I was a boy.*
Doctors had attributed it all to the accident that destroyed his hearing. They had told him nothing could be done.
Rosalie wrote another question.
*Did you believe them?*
His pencil remained still for several seconds. *No.*
Three nights later, during dinner, Gideon’s chair suddenly crashed backward.
He doubled over, both hands pressed against his skull.
Rosalie grabbed the oil lamp and rushed to his side. His right ear looked
