Page 19 of The Cannon
I turn the imaginary lip lock and throw the key to the ground. “It’s in the circle of trust.”
Taking my seat among the Swifts, I feel a new kind of comfort. A shared secret, which is warmth on another level.
“You’re probably wondering why that deserved an applause,” Lucinda says.
My nod and grin answer her question.
“It’s simple,” Boone says. “Out of all of us Swifts, it's Bristol who’s the most independent. That’s saying a lot in this family.”
“We value independence. It’s an admirable trait, no question. But it becomes a negative when you don’t leave room for the fun things in life,” says Lucinda.
“I agree,” I say chuckling.
“It’s rare to see my sister letting go a little. That’s all,” Brick says.
“Listen, we want to invite you to one of our parties. The season starts in a couple of weeks, we’re going to celebrate even though we weren’t in the playoffs this year,” Boone adds.
“The team got their invitations a few days ago,” says Atticus.
“Sounds like fun. I was thinking of asking Bristol to be my date. I’m just trying to pick the right time.”
“Tick tock, man. You’re not the only one that’s going to ask. You need to beat the wrong man to the punch.” Brick brings the last bite of pie to his mouth.
“I’ll ask tonight when I call her.”
“You got her number? That’s a good sign.”
“She gave it to me at the bowling alley when I got injured. Said I could call if I had any questions, so technically I’m following instructions.”
“That’s very unlike Bristol. Think you made an impression,” says January.
“So honey, tell us how you see yourself in five years. What does your life look like then?” asks Grandma Birdie.
Grandpa isn’t the only one who gets to the point. His wife holds her own in that department.
“Hopefully I’ll still be playing ball. And a family. I’d have a few kids by then. Just to start.”
What’s this look I’m getting? Something I said hit a roadblock. But the expressions quickly change. No one holds their initial reaction. It fades behind their eyes as quickly as it came.
“That’s wonderful, Sawyer,” Charlotte says. “I can tell you from experience it’s one of the most fulfilling experiences in life.”
Boone angles his chair and stretches his legs out in front of him. “Funny thing about life. Sometimes the road less traveled leads to your greatest happiness.”
He takes his Lucinda’s hand and looks in her eyes.
“She was my secret path.”
* * *
My condo lookslike a fourteen-year-old boy’s wet dream. For the first time I’m aware of that. A man’s toys don’t differ much from what he wished for in his youth. Mine are everywhere. Making big money for the first time has made a spender of me.
My minor shoulder injury ended up working in my favor. Not being able to finish my season made it possible for me to make my move to Tennessee a little earlier. Ahead of the start of my new contract.
But the free time had its mixed blessings. I was able to watch up close the dynamics of the Mavericks and get to know the men. That’s in the plus column. Not having control over my buying impulses are in the negative.
Just this first few months in Memphis I’ve spent thousands. Appliances, furniture. But I had to get a bed and the minimum amount of house staples to be able to live comfortably. That morphed into the more entertaining purchases. Workout equipment . . . a double-wide recliner to nap and play games and the holy mother of all toys, the one-hundred-inch flatscreens hung in the living room and bedroom.
Caps are tossed on most surfaces. And half the time I don’t make it to the bedroom before my shoes are kicked off. Now that I look at it, I’m kind of a slob. No. Correction. Clean but messy.
