Page 89 of The Cannon
Sawyer laughs out loud. He’s still not used to the antics of my brothers.
“Boys!” My mother pretends to protest. But she’s laughing as she says it.
“A gentleman doesn’t divulge that information,” Grandpa chuckles. “What I’m thinking of is how my Birdie starts my day with a kiss. You all could learn from this. It’s the same kiss she woke me up with the morning after our honeymoon night. It’s romantic.”
They exchange pecks on the lips and both look satisfied with his answer. He’s right. We should all remember to keep the romance going.
“Thank you, my lovebird,” Grandma says.
She turns to Brick and Beauregard. “Oh, I have two Little Thanks to give.” Laying a hand on Brick’s as he cradles the baby, she speaks. “You’re my first grandchild. Beauregard is my first great-grandchild. I couldn’t love either one of you more.”
She leans in for the kiss Brick offers. “But my Little Thanks to you is this. Thank you for being so present when we talk. I feel like you really listen to what Grandma has to say. And I know it’s not always scintillating topics. You make me feel heard.”
“Mama, that’s beautifully said,” Dad adds.
“Grandma, I think you’re one of the most interesting people I’ve known.”
“Well darlin’, now I need to live up to that compliment. And as far as this bundle of joy,” she says wiggling the baby’s tiny hand, “my Little Thanks to you is for the smile you gave me this morning.”
She looks around the table and addresses the unsaid thoughts.
“And it was not gas. I know what you’re all thinking.”
There’s chuckles and giggles all around as the game moves ahead to Brick. He changes his position so he can look into January’s pretty eyes.
“You, my darling, deserve all the thanks, big and little. But if I must pick just one, I’m going with this. Little Thanks for little looks. Becoming parents has added about a million more things to our schedules. But when you look at me like you do, it’s just you and me still and forever in love.”
The women at the table melt and the men realize they better have something as romantic to say.
“Well shit, brother. Did you just come up with that?”
“Yep,” says a beaming Brick.
January locks eyes with her man and a silent conversation passes between them. A kiss on his cheek punctuates the moment.
“Now me,” she says turning to her father-in-law.
“What do you have for your favorite father-in-law?”
“There’s a lot to choose from, Boone. But I’m thinking about one. It happened over a year ago, but I’m going to bend the rules a bit. The first time I came to this lovely home I was so nervous. It was you who read my anxiety and made sure I knew it was all right. I was standing in the kitchen so out of my element. You said ‘Let’s make the potato salad together.’ Brought the ingredients over gave me the easiest jobs and acted like you didn’t know how to do it either. I knew it was all an act, but I loved that it was for me. My Little Thanks to a big man.”
They embrace and my father looks like he’s about to burst.
“You’re welcome, daughter. That’s how I think of you and Charlotte you know. But now it’s my turn to send a Little Thanks love note to my girl.”
My mother angles her knees to his as he gazes into her eyes.
“I want to thank you for this morning. That’s all I’m saying. Little Thanks for a big … well, you know.”
The table erupts in catcalls and laughter, whistles and a few groans. Even Jude seems entertained. Not sure he gets it but maybe I’m wrong because he looks like a kid let in on an adult conversation.
“You two should write a book.How I Kept It Up For A Hundred Years,” Atticus says chuckling.
“We’re not that old!”
“Atticus!” Grandma says laughing.
“Let’s move on!” my mother says with emphasis.
