Mute (Muted Trilogy Book 1) Read Free Page A

okay , her mother mouthed. She looked back at the phone and jabbed her finger at the top right corner, then motioned for Jemma to wait as she stood and left the room. She came back less than a minute later holding a charger that would work with Jemma’s phone.
    Thank you , she mouthed back. Carolyn smiled. Jemma took the charger and plugged in her phone before she focused on her coffee. She inhaled between sips, enjoying the quiet until she caught another glimpse of her mother.
    Guilt gnawed at Jemma. It wasn’t as if she’d asked for this silence, not in a real way, and she certainly hadn’t done anything to cause it. But this quiet, at least for now, was relaxing, refreshing to her, and here she was, sitting here, enjoying something that was actively upsetting at least her family and probably most of the world.
    She was glad she wasn’t alone, at least. Knowing her family was okay, having their company while this was sorted out, it helped with handling the unknown, something she’d rarely done particularly well. She had actively enjoyed research since middle school. She’d delighted in coming home, opening an encyclopedia or, eventually, an internet browser, finding her answer, filling in a gap; it was beyond satisfying.
    The wordless companionship at the dining room table helped now. Even if she wasn’t particularly upset at the loss of voice at this point—she suspected even she would begin to miss speaking before long—she could empathize, at least, with some of the uncertainty her parents seemed to be feeling, and she hoped she was able to help some with her presence, too.
    Footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see her sister walking into the room, rubbing her eyes. Jill stopped, seeing the adults drinking their coffees, and then went into the kitchen, coming back with chocolate milk and chocolate cereal, cocking an eyebrow at their mother.
    Carolyn’s lips pressed tight for a moment. She started to speak, silent words cut short, then shrugged. Jill grinned, setting the items on the table and throwing her arms around her mom before bouncing back to the kitchen, returning with a bowl for herself and another that she placed in front of Jemma.
    Jemma smiled at her sister’s exuberance and poured herself a bowl of cereal and milk. She managed one bite before her phone lit up in notification of a text from Jill.
    Do we know anything yet??
    Not yet , she responded. You’re stuck with me until the police lift the driving restrictions.
    Mom and dad seem pretty freaked. Jemma joined Jill in looking at her parents. Carolyn and Matthew held hands, their fingers linked on the tabletop, and stared down at the wood in front of them.
    They’ll be okay , Jemma reassured her sister. Jill nodded and went back to texting, though she was no longer talking to Jemma if the lack of notifications was anything to go by.
    Jemma finished her breakfast and coffee, and she retrieved the dry erase board.
    Plans for the day? she asked her parents, tapping on the table to get their attention. Her mother shrugged, conflicting thoughts showing on her face. Carolyn reached for the board, and Jemma handed it over.
    I have email addresses on file for the families of most of my students , she scribbled. I need to check on them. Jemma nodded, and her father gave a thumbs up. Jill, still absorbed in her phone, didn’t seem to notice.
    When her parents moved to their computers to start emailing students, Jemma grabbed her e-reader from her purse and curled back up on the couch. Jill joined her in the living room, sitting in the recliner where her phone could reach an outlet. Lost in the world of her digital pages, Jemma was only vaguely aware of time’s passing. After a few chapters of intrigue, she looked up to see her parents sitting down on the love seat. Her mother picked up the remote, pressed power, and started flipping through channels. Jemma put down her book so she could watch.
    Carolyn paused on the news channel