Summary

Iris meets Wendell at the start of chapter 17, updating him about her correspondence with the sanctuary (94). They go to the school where Wendell’s mother works; Iris is pleasantly surprised by the number of deaf students and teachers, and reads a book on the history of American sign language (96). Later, with a group of deaf students, Iris falls behind, upset that she hasn’t been socialized to be able to keep up with their quicker conversation. When Wendell apologizes for not signing like an “’old person for’” Iris (99), she fears she won’t “fit in here after all” (100).

As chapter 18 begins, Iris gets a message from the sanctuary that says they will “play [her] song for Blue 55” (101). In the message, Andi offers to give Iris a tour of the sanctuary if she is ever there, and Iris responds asking to be there when...