A Shame #2
After a long moment, Nina gently added, “Well, I won’t bother you—”
“My family vacationed near where he lived, and we were friends. Best friends. It wasn’t for long, but … well.” Watt smiled grimly and shrugged. “Childhood friendships are just different, you know?”
Nina smiled. “I do.”
Watt sighed. “We made promises to—” And here Watt realized he couldn’t say the truth, because as men it wouldn’t be right—“We had plans for the future. But during our last summer my father forbade me from seeing Cornelius. He never said why, only that he was a disgrace to his family. And I—I believed him. I didn’t question him.
I did as I was told, and we never went back. "
Watt trailed off, thoughts crashing into another like tidal waves upon the rocks. Was that the summer Annie became Cornelius?
Did his father know the entire time?
Is that why they never visited Harbor Springs again?
Was Cornelius alone during all of this?
What did his parents think?
Cornelius’ mother never corrected Watt when he asked for Annie’s whereabouts, and Watt wasn’t sure whether that was for Cornelius’ safety, or a failure to recognize Cornelius as the man he was.
“How lonely.” Nina remarked quietly, breaking Watt out of his spiral. “For both of you. What a shame.”
Watt bowed his head. “What a shame, indeed.”
They ate in companionable silence after that.
He paid the bill and he helped her slip into her coat before putting on his own, and they took to the street.
Late winter in Philadelphia was temperamental, and the evening’s mood was cold but hopeful, with none of the bitterness that New York possessed.
Watt offered his arm to Nina, and she took it.
It was that weird time beyond twilight, and yet still not fully night.
There was no moon, but the street lamps were lit and headlights of passing cars streaked across the buildings.
After walking for some time, Nina asked, “Do you think he’ll say yes?”
“I don’t know.” Watt answered honestly. “I hope so.”
Nina sighed, patting his arm.
“What do you think?” Watt asked, looking down at her.
Nina hummed, staring upwards. Not at him, but further.
Watt followed her gaze, but there was nothing to see that they hadn't already.
Street lamps, enormous brick and steel buildings, vehicles huffing exhaust into the night.
The upper atmosphere was framed by buildings of all shapes, sizes, and age.
Trees lingered here and there, but lonely and restrained.
There were no stars, the sky was nothing but endless bruised black clouds.
“I don’t think Pugsy would’ve sent me all this way for a no,” Nina whispered, never having sounded so old as she did right then.
Watt smiled faintly, not having the heart to rebuke her.
The Fawcetts had a strong interest in the infallible and took superstitions to heart.
They dealt in prophecies, astrology, and more of the like.
He couldn’t count how many times he’d heard the Colonel’s ghost stories, or been pulled into seances by Nina.
He liked to believe he had a fairly open mind, and had experienced his share of the unexplainable, but he found it hard to believe that Colonel Fawcett sent his wife a telepathic message to organize an expedition with specific people, including people he’d never met, to delve into Brazil and find him.
Then again, why else did she seek out Cornelius? The man wasn’t wrong, there were hundreds of men who would jump at the chance to search for the legendary Fawcett, and were likely better suited for it. But none of them were Cornelius.
And by the time they reached the hotel, Watt decided he wouldn’t want anyone else.
Dear Annie,
March 18, 1918
It has been some time since we last saw each other. I hope you and your family have been doing well in Harbor Point.
I’m not a particularly good writer, but I wanted to send you a letter before I went overseas. I’m going to France, you see. If only your French lessons included more than your favorite curses, but then again they may come in handy.
I’m part of the 307th, and let me tell you the men here are like nothing I’ve ever seen before, from every nook and cranny in New York. We’ll be going to a training camp next week, and then to Halifax before making the final voyage to France.
It’s all a bit overwhelming, to be honest. Father doesn’t want me to go, but it’s done. I’ve been drafted, and I won’t fight it like he did.
I’m not sure he’ll be seeing me off, but what can you do? I’m not better than any other man, and it’s my duty to go. This is too big a decision for him to make for me. Again.
I wanted to say that I wish we could’ve said goodbye, before. So I want to say goodbye now, in case I don’t make it back. The others are so full of confidence and grit that it’s hard to believe otherwise, but you know me. Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
And this is too big of a thing to leave undone, you and me. Take care of yourself for me, yeah?
Thank you for being my friend, Annie, a real and true one.
I’ll never forget you.
Yours, Watt Johnson