The Mutes Ralph and I were very close, so close at times we were thought to be twins by those that did not know us, though in truth for six months out of the year we were times only a year apart in age. There had been times in our lives when people referred to us as the deaf twins for they said they had never seen or heard us speak to each other, but I know we spoke to each other all the time only in hindsight did I realize it may not always have been verbally. This was demonstrated to us when we were nearing our teens and as we got on to the crowded rush hour elevator as we called it when the adults were all coming in from work. I had got on first and was pushed to the back of the car, Ralph wisely so had waited and let the others push in and then got in. As we went from floor to floor I realized I had not pushed the button for our floor and called out, " Ralph, push ten I forgot! " The people in the car jumped as if I fired a gun and turned to look at me. " You can talk? " one lady said as if it was a miracle. " Yes we can talk. " I said puzzled as to her comment " We talk all the time. " " You have lived here for three years and no one has ever heard either of you utter a word to each other or any one else, we thought you both were deaf. " " Well we can talk and hear." Ralph said as the door opened to our floor and we were getting off. " That's obvious to us all now." the woman said and the rest on the elevator laughed as the door slid close. Being kids we just shrugged it off as a "grown up thing" but nether of us forgot it, and it would take years for us to finally understand it. Part Five