The Surprise Picnic

I Can’t Hear You • Part 3 of 5

Feb 20, 2025

This is a short serial in five parts. I will release each part on consecutive days, so you won’t have to wait long.

One afternoon, Daniel was sitting in the park writing. Daniel had found a quiet spot off the main path by a huge oak tree early in his stay. He would spread a blanket on the ground and sit against the tree while he worked on his novel, occasionally stealing glances at the lake adjacent to the park. Most of the townsfolk left Daniel alone while he was writing. He had become sort of a minor celebrity, and people liked having him around.

Jenny knew Daniel was at the park and decided to surprise him with a picnic lunch. She packed his favorite BLT and chips in a bag, along with a big cup of lemonade, and headed for the park.

When Jenny got to the park, she knew where to find him—by the big oak tree. She approached him from the rear. Just as Jenny was about to surprise Daniel, she saw him pick up his phone and talk into it. She dropped the bag and lemonade and stared at Daniel in shock.

“Thank you, Bill. I am feeling very inspired. [Pause] No, I haven’t told anyone. They still think I’m deaf. It is surprising the things you hear when people think you can’t hear them.”

Jenny was furious. She approached Daniel and said, “No one is more surprised than me. I can’t believe you lied to me. To the whole town. It was all a game to you, wasn’t it?”

She turned and stormed away.

“Wait, Jenny, I can explain,” Daniel yelled. “Bill, I have to call you back,” he said as he got up and put his phone in his pocket.

Daniel followed Jenny back to town. He caught up to her just before she entered the diner.

“Jenny, I’m sorry. Let me explain.”

“Explain why you pretended to be deaf? Did you know about Janice? Was this a trick to play on my sympathy?”

“No. I swear I didn’t know about Janice. I was just researching how people in a small town would react to a deaf writer.”

“I guess you found out. What about us? Were you planning on keeping up the charade forever?”

“No. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I figured it might hurt you, and I was scared of losing you. I love you, Jenny.”

“You have a strange way of showing it. I have to get back to work. You got what you wanted. Just leave.”

Jenny went back inside the diner. Daniel noticed that several people were staring at him now. He walked back to the park, got his laptop and blanket, and returned to his rented room.

Shannon, the other server in the Diner, saw Jenny talking to Daniel through the window and said, “Did I just see you talking to Daniel?

“Yes. He lied to us. He’s not deaf. It was all pretend. For his stupid book. I feel like such an idiot.”

“It’s not your fault, Jenny. He fooled us all. I really thought he loved you.”

“He says he does, but how can I believe him now?”

“Oh, Sweetie, I am so sorry,” Shannon said and took Jenny in a hug.

Part 4: