Page 54 of The Cannon
“Good one. That’s what I’m having too,” I say suddenly changing my pick.
I want him to be comfortable with us and I think that was a good call. Because I get an actual smile.
“Are you ready to order?” The young female server walks up between Bristol and Jude but looks directly at me. I recognize the expression. She’s figured out who I am.
“Yes, I think so,” I say. “We’ll start with the Awesome Appetizers Adventure. Then when it’s served we’ll put in our entrée orders.”
“Sounds good. You’re a Maverick, right? Sawyer Tom?”
The kids are paying close attention. Robert elbows Richard and Mollie whispers in Eva’s ear.
“Yes. That’s me.”
“Oh! I’m so excited to meet you. My mom and sister and I love watching the games. We’re always looking for you.”
“What’s your name?”
“Sandy.”
If she smiles any wider her face is going to break.
“Well, thank you so much. And thank them both for me, Sandy.”
Some weird kind of sound comes out of her mouth. Half squeal, half contained yell.
“I will, I will! Oh my god. Okay I’m going to go get your order started. Can I give you a hug?”
I angle my chair in her direction and open my arms. She comes in for the longest hug of the century. When we part I see her tears welling.
“Thank you so much!”
She heads for the kitchen, but reluctantly.
“I’m not sure she recognized you,” Eva says sarcastically.
There’s a beat where the other kids think she’s serious. Then she lifts a corner of her mouth, and the entire table gets the joke.
Chapter 14
Bristol
Sawyer’s at an away away series. Looks like the Mavericks aren’t headed for the playoffs in October. It’s only the beginning of August. But with a starting pitcher, third baseman and biggest hitter injuries this year, things don’t look good. They can’t all be stellar seasons.
The last few days I’m catching up with things I’ve been neglecting. Only my work has remained as before. I’m just as focused and devoted to my practice. It’s everything else that’s suffered.
Fortunately, my friends and family don’t take it personally. I think I’ve earned some extra points by being predictably reliable for so many years.
Now things seem to be changing. Morphing into the new me. And the funniest part of it all is that the people who love me are thrilled. Was I an asshole before? When I joked about it to Atticus, he said, “Not an asshole Sister, just buttoned up. We never knew what was happening in your life.”
After I punched him in the arm for telling the truth I thought about what he said. From my viewpoint it wasn’t that I intentionally kept things from them. I just didn’t have anything really interesting to report. That sounds both pathetic and accurate.
I’m getting used to sharing my personal life. With my family and with Kara. She hears more than the rest. Nothing too intimate, but more of what I’m feeling, like a teenager who can’t stop talking about her boyfriend.
Think I’ll call her to tell her about Sawyer’s DNA results. As I reach for my cell it rings. Oh, Sawyer!
“Hi, baby,” I say.
There’s a pause. “Did you just call me your baby?”
