Surprise! Earlier then you thought huh? Lol!
Enjoy!
"2 minutes until we start rolling!" Sawyer called fiercely, walking through the set toward the news anchors. They sat in their chairs, prepping with makeup and lint rollers. Sawyer held a warm cup of hazelnut coffee in his hand. He took a quick sip and fell in love with the taste. After the 20th time, Carla had finally gotten it right; regular sugar but extra, extra cream.
"Your seat's ready." His assistant Carla whispered. She was so timid and shy; she was perfect for her job. Sawyer wanted someone easy to please and ready to serve. He gave her a mere nod and then headed up a few steps into his work area. He opened the door and strolled inside. During the duration of those steps, he morphed into his working character. He became someone who was focused, attentive and irritable to those who crossed his path. Luckily he had his job for over 5 years, and those who knew him, knew he wasn't to be tested in this state.
The small area was dimmed low but the panel of little screens gave off enough light. The screen curved around a U shaped desk and illuminated a plush computer chair. He took his signature seat and put on the headset.
"Rolling in 5, 4, 3, 2..." Within an instant the news anchor was reading the teleprompter in her perfect diction and enticing voice. Sawyer took another swallow of his coffee and leaned back in his chair. After a few minutes of hearing her talk, they switched to the male anchor.
"Focus camera D." Sawyer said. In an instant, the perspective was now from a different angle. The anchor was twisting his head at a slight slant, giving everyone an ideal view of his profile and the undersized animated box that held a picture of his topic in the top right corner.
After a half hour, Sawyer got a text that set his jeans vibrating. He took out his phone to see it was his half brother.
Bad accident on Boxwood rd. Just hppnd 2 mins ago.
Sawyer was on it before he could finish reading the text. He pressed a button on his control keyboard panel and punched in another headset.
"Get someone out to Boxwood Road to look at an accident. I want this done within the next five minutes." He said. He could only imagine the chaos happening behind the set to get someone on the road. The female anchor was speaking again, and he paged the teleprompter manager but didn't speak.
"After the break we'll be taking a look at the upcoming snow storm, the turkey convention in Archmere, an 80 year old woman who defended herself in a robbery—"
Sawyer intercepted.
"Accident on Boxwood road." He said quickly. The teleprompter now held those words for her to read off.
"And new information about an Accident on Boxwood Road, right after this." The camera man cued the commercial and the smile fell right from the woman's face. Sawyer threw off his headset and ventured down the steps to get some facts on the accident he just promised the entire state of Rhode Island he'd have information on within the next 5 minutes. Carla was already on her way to meet him.
"What's going on with this car I sent out?" He asked, stalking through the backstage area. He passed a camera man and stopped him.
"You're using too much exposure on them. I want to see that background better—tell everyone so they make sure the cameras are on the same levels. If they aren't, I'm holding you responsible." He said. Then with a light nod of his head, the young man was dismissed. He approached Tim, the one in charge of the vehicles. As if already knowing what Sawyer had on his mind, he spoke.
"We have a reporter on the site now, they're ready." He said.
"Are there photos? Do we have a clear view? " He griped in an agitated voice.
"We have pictures and I sent out a chopper to view the accident from bird's eye view." Will said, trying to calm him before his temper escalated. Although Sawyer was pleased with his proactivity, you'd never know it. He turned on his heels and headed back to his office without a word. Carla followed him up until he reached the steps of his office. When the door closed behind him, she sighed out in relief.
****
Sawyer was finished work at around 7:30. He opened the back stage door that let out to the parking lot. The crisp freezing air hit his face and he pulled his hat down a little further on his head. He started his car with his automatic starter and made his way toward it. While his little VW warmed up, his mind roamed over various topics.
Kiana.
No matter when or where he had an extra moment to think, he couldn't help but use it on the beautiful girl. She was everything he could ever ask for in a woman, yet he ruined his chances of ever getting her. He couldn't believe that he thought treating such a wonderful person like that would get him on their good side. He unconsciously took a deep sigh of regret and his breath smoke filled the air.
But along with the sigh came realization. He apologized more than once, and that was pretty much all he could do to make up for his behavior. Sawyer was done begging. He was done feeling bad about something that
could've
happened. He'd made his mistake and he tried to make up for it but Kiana wouldn't accept his efforts. He still couldn't believe she had gotten him to even think of expressing regret. That wasn't him at all. He was naturally cold hearted, straightforward and confident in everything he did. Sawyer wouldn't lose himself over someone he couldn't even have. He was definitely back to his old ways—for good.
His phone rang in his pocket and he checked the I.D.
"What's up?" Sawyer answered, finally putting the key in his ignition.
"Hey, since its Lindsey's last day here Alison was going to make dinner for everyone. You coming by?" His half brother Declan asked. Sawyer didn't have anything else better to do, but he didn't entirely want to spend his time with them. Declan could sense his hesitation, so he used some more words to coax him.
"It's her last day, don't be a dick." He said a little more hushed, obviously trying not to be heard by other people in the room. Sawyer skipped the turn to his apartment and took the one to Declan's house.
"Alright. I'm on my way." He said bitterly. He hung up the phone and let the Indie music fill the chilled space. He liked spending time with his siblings but there were just sometimes where he'd like to be alone. Since Lindsey was going back home to Arizona tomorrow, he felt compelled to spend more time with her.
Declan, Lindsey and Xavier were all close to Sawyer. They had been the best of friends throughout their younger lives. Although they all have different mothers and were no more than 1 year apart in age, their father made sure to keep them in one another's company. Sawyer was somewhat glad; it left no room for animosity. Especially considering the fact his father and mother had been together for over 35 years and divorced around the time Lindsey, the youngest was born. His father was the perfect definition of a 'Rolling Stone' as his kids liked to tease.
But Sawyer was angry with his father; his hatred grew as he did. He got used to seeing his mom worried yet still acting as if they were the perfect family. His dad came home at a different hour every day; sometimes early in the morning, right before he went to bed or even waiting for him when he got off the bus. How his parents lasted 35 years was astounding to him. After he graduated from high school, his dad disappeared for over 6 months. He returned high off drugs and in terrible shape. Now he hung out on the streets and searching for anything to smoke.
Sawyer pulled up to his brother's house and could hear the laughter going on. He walked up the porch steps and opened the door. Everyone was sitting at the table and he took off his jacket to hang it up.
"Alison, he's here!" Declan called for his wife, ready to eat. Sawyer went to the bathroom to wash his hands up, never being the one to put anything towards his mouth with dirty hands. When he was done he sat next to Lindsey and got ready for the food.
"Thanks for that text." Sawyer told Xavier. Xavier had short buzz cut black hair and deep grey eyes like their father. He looked the most like him out of all his siblings.
"No problem." Alison placed a large dish of shrimp, chicken and crab Alfredo on the table. Her husband seemed ready to dive in, but he knew better.
"Grace." Alison stated, reaching her hands out to those around her. Sawyer linked hands with Lindsey and Xavier.
"Thank you for bringing everyone to this table today Lord, bless them all as well as the food we're about to eat. Amen."
*
When everyone was full of food, they moved to the living room. A TV show played quietly in the background but they were all immersed in conversation. Sawyer sipped on his iced tea idly, not too in the mood to converse.
"Has anyone seen dad?" Lindsey asked. Everyone was silent for awhile. She knew he was on and off drugs but she missed him the most out of everyone.
"It's been a month since he came by." Alison told her. There was about 5 minutes worth of silence before someone spoke again.