Page 15 of The Cannon
Occasionally I catch Sawyer’s eyes meeting mine across the table. Just a split second passes between us where we’re doing more than looking. Saying something beyond hello. Some half thought travels from him to me and back. Weird.
“Do you have a girlfriend waiting in Fort Worth?”
Mallory’s question to Sawyer snaps me out of my thoughts. Charlotte speaks up before he has a chance to answer.
“Maybe the question is too personal, Mallory. You don’t have to answer that,” she says kindly.
Shut up sister-in-law. I’d like to hear what the man has to say.Only because I’m interested in his unique story. That’s where my interest lies. Uh huh.
A smile lights up his face as he turns his attention to Mallory.
“That’s okay. I don’t mind. The short answer is no.”
“Looks like the long answer’s written on your arm,” Grandpa says.
Sawyer rolls up his sleeve to reveal a simple, not very well executed tattoo. ButAnneis clear as day.
“It’s my sister’s name.”
Grandpa sighs and his eyes soften. Think he’s sorry to have brought it up.
“I didn’t know you had siblings,” Brick says. “Will she be visiting?”
“No. I don’t know where she is. We were separated when she was five. The name’s all I know about her.”
Oh Lord. My stomach just dropped with his words. By the look on the family’s faces theirs did as well. My mother reaches out and touches his hand.
“I’m sorry, darlin’. You don’t know what happened to her?”
“No. We were placed separately. I was two and she was five.”
I’m going to cry. Oh shit! Here it comes. My eyes well with tears and overflow onto my cheeks. Grandma Birdie is watching me, so she lets loose with her particular talent. The ability to cry on command. Tears start streaming down her face.
“Oh, child. That breaks my heart.”
Then she locks eyes with me, sending her message and covering her granddaughter’s embarrassment.
“Bristol and I are softies. We’re the cryers of the family.”
If I wasn’t upset with myself for showing so much emotion this would be a funny scene. Only Sawyer’s missing the fact every person here is privy to. They’re looking at Grandma and I like we’re high. I am most definitely not the cryer nor is Grandma. We all know what she said was bullshit.
“Thank you, ladies. It’s sad. But I’ve come to accept it.”
“Isn’t there a way to track her down? Maybe we can help,” my father says.
“I’ve tried. I did find out she was adopted, but the records are sealed. If she still goes by Anne.”
“Let me help you,” I say. “Sometimes my connections can pay off. No promises, but we can try a few things.”
His face takes on a new light.
Hope.
“Thank you. Yes. I’ll give you what I know about our circumstances. Man, this family. You’re all amazing. And now I have tears.”
He wipes his cheek and fidgets in his seat, trying to reposition his sadness.
My mother rises and takes her plate. “Alright now, Brick and Atticus help your mama.”
