Page 96 of The Cannon
“Christ, Lucinda! Stop fussing!” my dad says pushing her hands away.
Our Jude became a dermatologist thank the heavens. Now we all benefit from the latest developments in the field. No doubt I’d look ten years older if he didn’t do his magic. So would Charlotte and January and Atticus. Brick and my parents aren’t interested with the business of anti-aging.
“I’ll look at it when we get up from the table, Grandma.”
He’s in his thirties now. Unbelievable. Married to Judi, a girl we adore. Time has produced a fine man. No doubt formed from his dramatic story. How did I ever live without the love of this boy? Sawyer and I have been blessed having him as our son.
It’s so beautiful to watch him and his father when they talk. There’s a connection that can’t be adequately described. But I know that their love born of compassion and empathy became mighty.
And now we have the babies. Our first granddaughters. Twins, Taylor and Tessa. The whole family is ga ga for them. But the way Jude loves them is inspiring. They are his heart. At one year they’re becoming mobile, and we need to watch them every second.
“Let’s have one last toast,” my father says getting upright. Slowly.
The table settles.
“There’s just two people missing from our table.”
We all feel their absence.
“Raise your glasses for Birdie and Davis. They’re in our thoughts, in our memories and forever in our hearts. May God hold you close until we’re all together again.”
A tear runs its course down his face. His parents. Our grandparents. Our core and foundation.
My mother’s hand slides into his as he sits. The rest of the family are trying to control the emotion of the moment.
I turn to my husband. To the spectacular face that still sets my heart beating. He’s fifty-three, but I still see the young man. The vulnerable searching boy looking for his family. Thank God he found it in me.
I lean in and barely brush his ear.
“I love you, Sawyer. Forever and ever,” I whisper.
He tilts his head to mine and lifts his hand, cradling the side of my face.
“Always.”
