Chapter 8

8 Pablo dropped the mallet and grabbed the gong with his hands. He squeezed tightly. Eventually, the ringing stopped and the jelly beans were still again. He ran over to the model eardrum. Dr. Crisp followed him. "I'm…I'm sorry," said Pablo. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Henry was breathing so quickly it almost sounded like he was gasping for air. "You didn't hurt my feelings," he replied between breaths. He slowed his breathing and wiped his cheeks with the backs of his hands. "It's my ears."

"Your ears?" Pablo repeated. Henry sighed and hung his head. "Yeah," he replied. "They bother me a lot. It always seems like people are yelling at me. Or telling me what to do. Sometimes I get lost in all the words when people talk. So I just stop listening. When the noise is too much, I get nervous. And sometimes…I lose control." Violet rested her hand on Henry's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell us?" she asked.

"I don't like to talk about it," Henry replied. He tugged on his costume. "I don't like being different from other kids. My moms say there isn't anything wrong with being different, but they don't understand." "I know what it's like to be different," said Pablo. "When I first got to Newburg from Puerto Rico, it was really hard. I didn't speak English, and no one could understand me. It was easier once I made a friend," he said, smiling at Violet. Henry lowered his eyes. "I don't really have friends. Well, I have one. A lady named Ms. Robinson comes to my house once a week. She said my ears are sensitive because I have auditory processing disorder. We do a lot of fun activities. My mama says they exercise my listening muscles. It's hard sometimes. But my mom says she's really proud of me. I don't know. I guess I still feel embarrassed about it."

Dr. Crisp knelt down in front of Henry. "The Maker Maze is for everyone, Henry. And there's no need to be embarrassed about something that makes you different. Our differences are what make us special." Then Dr. Crisp pressed a button on her watch and whispered, "Maker Maze, activate sensory mode!"

The ground vibrated lightly. boom snap whiz zap Henry's face brightened. "Hey! That wasn't so bad!" he said. "I should have turned on sensory mode sooner," said Dr. Crisp. "Henry, I'm sorry I didn't make the Maze more welcoming for you." She held out the Maker Manual. "Maybe the Maze knew I also had a few things to learn today." She smiled. "My dad always says you're never too old to learn something new," added Violet. "I'm not that old!" replied Dr. Crisp. They all laughed. "I'm really sorry I hurt your ears with the gong," Pablo said to Henry. "I should've been more patient."

Henry smiled. "Thanks, that really means a lot to me," he said. The two Makers reached up and gave each other a high five. With his arm still in the air, Pablo noticed the time on his watch. "We only have thirty-five Maker Minutes left! And we haven't even finished level two," he said.