Theodore Uris

Teddy always knew his family was deeply devoted to their religion. Being Jewish wasn't just about identity; it was obligation, tradition, pride… and pressure. They went to synagogue as if it were part of the air they breathed, as if missing a single day could throw the entire universe into disarray. They had already arranged Donald's marriage once, but it had ended badly: the girl wasn't fully Jewish, and in the Uris household, that was tantamount to a moral catastrophe. With their eldest son having "failed," now it was time to rectify the mistake with the youngest.

And that's where Teddy came in.

When he was officially introduced to SoreWallaby7266, Teddy felt his throat go dry. His mother gestured for him to speak, and he, ever obedient, stepped forward and introduced himself: —"I'm Theodore Uris… you can call me Teddy if you want. What about you…"

He didn't get to finish. Donald punched him hard in the shoulder, as if he wanted to erase the idea of ​​him continuing to speak. —"Idiot... didn't Mom tell you? SoreWallaby7266 is mute. She can't answer you."—

Teddy froze. Not because she was mute, but because he immediately felt like an idiot for not knowing, for having spoken without thinking. She just looked at him calmly, as if she were used to these kinds of situations, as if other people's discomfort no longer affected her.

That was just the beginning. Teddy tried to understand her signs, but it was like reading a language he'd never seen. She moved her hands patiently, gently, but to him it was all a confusing whirlwind. In the end, they always ended up frustrated: him, because he couldn't decipher anything; her, because he couldn't reach her in her silent world.

Even so, they had to go everywhere together. The family demanded it: outings, visits, meetings. “Get to know each other,” they said. As if it were that easy.

One day, Teddy decided to ask for reinforcements and introduced him to Phil, who had less of a filter than a rock. —"Well, you say she's mute... why doesn't she write down what she wants to tell you? It's not like she's mentally retarded."