Gloria sat in the waiting room, weaving her fingers in and out of her key ring. She knew that even if the operation wasn’t successful, it would not be fatal. However, she was still worried.

 

A young doctor entered the room with a big smile on his face and gave her a thumbs up. His laid-back manner annoyed her, but she felt instant relief.

 

“Adam will be just fine,” he said. “Remove his bandages in a few hours and you should be able to hear him speak by the end of the day.”

 

“And if it doesn’t work?” Gloria asked.

 

“Everything looks great right now. Let’s cross that bridge if we come to it,” the doctor said, giving her another thumbs up.

 

Adam was still groggy as he laid on the couch at home. Gloria paced around the kitchen, moved the salt and pepper shakers, and fidgeted around the house. She had lived with Adam for two years, but felt like she was on a first date.

 

Three hours later, she went to Adam’s side and sat down. He rolled over, opened his eyes, and stared straight at her. Gloria tried desperately to see behind those eyes, to understand what he was feeling for her. She smiled and began removing the bandages.

 

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll be gentle. This is a new beginning for us.”

 

With the bandages off, Adam got up and went to the kitchen. Gloria heard him drinking water.

 

She recalled six months ago when she heard about the experimental surgery that would allow Adam to speak. She had never heard his voice before and, although she felt they had developed a means of communication over the years, she was desperate to deepen their relationship.

 

Adam returned to the living room and said flatly, “I’m hungry.”

 

Tears pressed out of the corners of Gloria’s eyes. She nodded politely and walked into the kitchen. She had fantasized about Adam’s first words, hoping that he would tell her how much he loved her. Or at least thank her for taking such good care of him. Despite feeling hurt, she was still hopeful.

 

She pulled some leftovers out of the refrigerator and opened the microwave. “Don’t heat it up. I want it cold,” Adam said. He devoured the pot roast. “That was good.”

 

His voice had a slight accent and a lisp. He seemed to struggle to form the words, but he was understandable. Gloria assumed it would only improve with time.

 

“You’re welcome,” she said. She wondered why they were suddenly strangers after having known each other for years.

 

Adam must have felt awkward as well, because he pivoted and walked into the living room. Gloria took a deep breath and followed him.

 

“Turn on the TV. I like to watch TV before I sleep,” Adam said.

 

Gloria gasped. Adam had never asked her to turn the TV on before. She caught herself, realizing he never had a voice before. Or maybe she had never understood his request before. He always sat by her side, watching whatever she was watching. She scowled, wondering how much she really knew about Adam.

 

That night, before going to bed, Gloria changed into her pajamas with the bathroom door closed. Before the operation, she had no problem removing her clothing in front of Adam, but suddenly it embarrassed her.

 

Adam, however, was in bed and asleep when she crawled in herself. She snuggled up to his warm body.

 

The next day Gloria woke and hoped for a better day, but nothing much had changed. Adam only spoke in short phrases, mostly making demands to eat or to be left alone to nap. Gloria tried to check off the items on her mental list of questions to ask Adam, but he was uninterested in conversing.

 

At night, she curled up next to him and whispered, “Adam, do you love me?”

 

“More questions!” he yelled. “I’m trying to sleep. Why can’t you stop talking?” He got out of bed. She heard him walk down the stairs and settle onto the couch. She cried herself to sleep.

 

Gloria slept in later than usual. Her legs buckled and she steadied herself with a chair when she walked into the kitchen. The floor was littered with the contents of the trash can and the refrigerator. She looked around for Adam.

 

“Adam? Where are you? Did you do this?” she called out, trying to control her temper.

 

“I’m here.”

 

She found him by the front door. “Why did you…”

 

“Open it,” Adam interrupted.

 

“What?”

 

“Open the door. I’m leaving.”

 

“No, you can’t leave,” she said. “Let’s talk. Come sit down.”

 

“No more talking!” he erupted. “Open the damn door!”

 

Gloria turned the door handle, and Adam quickly wedged his way through the opening.

 

“Please! Adam!” Gloria called to him.

 

He turned around. “My name isn’t Adam.”

 

She watched his wagging tail go down the sidewalk and disappear around the corner.