She played with him and read to him, pointing out
words as she spoke them. In this way, Jaime learned
rapidly, but even when he laughed, the sound was
little more than a squeak. Nola and David became
more and more convinced that the birth trauma had
somehow damaged the connection from his brain to
his voice box. They gave him constant words of
encouragement, asking him to select the blue block
or the red crayontasks Jaime always completed
with ease. They praised his accomplishments.
Sometimes, Jaime thought they were talking to him
in his head, but when he responded there was
nothing. They never responded directly when he tried
to ask a question.