My Sweet Annie

41

We read through every entry in Gran's childhood diary, whether they offered any insight about Anna Elvers or not. We weren't giggling as much by the end, even when Gran tried to spell "ostentatious" in reference to a girl at school. By the time we had reached the last couple pages, Gran was heading into the summer of her fourteenth year. She was writing again about Peter Altman, who had asked another girl to a dance—a most upsetting roadblock in Gran's romantic plans—and there were no more references to Anna.

My phone pinged, distracting me from the melodrama. I reached for it where it lay on the end table and tilted the screen to check the notification.

It was a Facebook message. "Did I tell you I sent a message to one of the local Elverses?"

Ana shook her head. "You did? You know them?"

"Not at all. I Facebook stalked them by last name and decided to try my luck to see if they knew anything about where Anna might have ended up."

"Wow. That was kind of ballsy."

I forced a laugh. "Maybe, but it's not too crazy, right? They were really good friends. If she's still alive, she might want to know that Gran passed away."

"True. What did they say?"

"Let's see." I tapped to open the message from Jerry Elvers, holding the phone so Anna could read it, too.

Hello Tabitha,

I am very sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. I did not know Ruth personally, but I was aware of her as our local artist in residence. My sister actually has one of her paintings hanging in the family room.

Unfortunately, I don't think any of us can help you with contacting Anna. I never met her, and my grandfather (her brother Robert) lost touch with her when he was very young.

In case you plan to contact anyone else from my family, or if you have already, I will give you a lay of the land. I don't expect anybody will know any more than I have told you, but you're welcome to reach out to see.

There were nine in that generation and I'm afraid I don't know all of their names, but my grandfather was one of the boys, Robert. He married a local lady named Doris and they had three children: Robert II (my dad), Nancy, Carrie.

Then Dad and Mom (Stacey) had three kids too. Jodi and me are older (twins) and then Michael.

I and my wife Linda have two children, Chelsey and K.J.

Jodi has a daughter named Paisley.

Michael married Diane just a few years ago. They have one son, William, who just had his first birthday.

The rest of the Elvers clan is somewhat dispersed now and we're really all the family left in the area. I am happy to try to answer any questions you might have if there is somebody in particular you are trying to track down. Like I said, I don't think any of us will know much about Anna. I suppose she would be my great aunt. It's known in our family that she eloped with her boyfriend when she was still in her teens. Seems romantic now but at the time I expect it was quite a scandal. As far as I know she never contacted the family again.

If you do happen to find Anna, or any of her family/children, let me know. It would be nice to get in touch. I wish I could tell you how to look them up, but I don't have any idea what her boyfriend's name would have been, which would have become her name.

Good luck and again, I am sorry for your recent loss.

Jerry E.