The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright

Author:Jason F. Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Stick Figures

I’D had my heart broken before.

The day Tim died in the ocean on a senior trip in Maryland.

The first time Emma Jane said no to me.

The night over dinner when Father told us he was dying of lung cancer.

The moment I looked through the small square window in Lou Lou’s classroom door and saw my mother-in-law and daughter sitting side by side across from Ms. Silvious. Lou Lou was holding Shell and listening.

Michelle was smiling and turning toward Lou Lou every now and then, patting her knee or stroking the back of her hair.

Ms. Silvious had a manila folder open in front of her with a stack of drawings and worksheets. She looked up and saw me. “Come in,” her lips mouthed and she beckoned with her hand.

I walked in and pulled a small chair up next to Lou Lou.

“We’re so glad you could make it,” said Ms. Silvious.

I’d forgotten how smooth her Valley accent was. Just smooth enough to remind me she was from the South. But not distracting. Just like Emma Jane.

“I’m sorry I’m a little late.” I braced for whatever Michelle had to say, no doubt something well deserved.

She looked at me and smiled. “It’s okay, John. We’re just glad you’re here.”

Ms. Silvious resumed showing off Lou Lou’s alphabet worksheets and drawings. She praised Lou Lou’s work and reading level. “She’s at least one grade level ahead of most students in the class. She loves her books.”

Lou Lou beamed.

I bent down and asked Shell how he was doing. “You have fun at Grandma’s?” I whispered.

Shell raised his right hand.

“Good. Sorry I’m late, big guy. Forgive me?”

Shell raised his right hand again.

I draped my arm around Lou Lou and pulled her into my side.

She rested her head against my chest.

“Any questions?” Ms. Silvious asked as she closed Lou Lou’s file.

Michelle looked at me, deferring.

“It looks like she’s doing great, right?” I said with enthusiasm.

“She’s doing fine, yes, Mr. Bevan.”

“Super.” I looked at Michelle. “Questions?”

She shook her head.

“Let’s get out of the way then and keep you on schedule.” I rose and shook Ms. Silvious’s hand. “Sorry again about being late. I was tied up.”

“Apology accepted.” She shook hands with both Lou Lou and Michelle. “See you tomorrow, Lou Lou?”

Lou Lou nodded.

“I can’t wait,” Ms. Silvious added. “Would you and your grandmother mind waiting outside for your dad? I want to talk to him for just one more minute. Alright?”

“Come on, sweetheart.” Michelle took Lou Lou’s hand and led her into the hallway. She shut the door behind her.

“Uh-oh,” I said, taking my seat again. “How bad is it? Cigarettes? Boys?” I laughed the only way that seemed natural anymore. Nervously.

Ms. Silvious pulled a drawing from the bottom of the stack and held it up. “I thought you should see this.”

She held the white sheet of paper by the top corners. A stick figure drawn in brown crayon knelt by a black cross. Beneath it a flat line of green grass ran from one edge of the paper to the other.

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