Great first line in particular, autumnleaf. I agree with the others' suggestions.
Here's mine:
When my landlady went deaf, I enrolled in a sign language class at San Francisco City College, wanting someone to talk to. My older brother, who lived with me, had gone to prison, and I was lonely. My landlady’s name was Lyudmila, and she spoke loudly now, her voice a raspy boom, her Russian accent thick.
Here's mine:
When my landlady went deaf, I enrolled in a sign language class at San Francisco City College, wanting someone to talk to. My older brother, who lived with me, had gone to prison, and I was lonely. My landlady’s name was Lyudmila, and she spoke loudly now, her voice a raspy boom, her Russian accent thick.