Grandpa

by Amy Cassis

Today my grandpa picked me up, eleven o’clock, on the dot. First the bank, a dollar in my account. I’m rich, like the queen of England. Then the bakery, time for donuts. Chocolate, powdered, I get to choose. Surprise! It’s a cake, all for me! White frosting, with red balloons. But, my birthday’s not for another day. Oh well, he says, eat up, we’ve got more errands to run. Next, we go to the grocery store. Spartan brand, everything green and yellow, like lemon lime Kool-Aid packets. Grandpa buys bread, milk, and other things. Now we go home, it’s time for lunch. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich please. Grandpa shakes his head slowly, he gets mad when Grandma and I stick our fingers in the peanut butter jar. All too soon, it's time to go home. Please! Please! Can I stay? No, says Grandpa. I need a rest, we’ve had a busy day.

Months later, Grandpa’s in the hospital, he’s had a stroke. We go to visit him and play cards, rummy, his favorite game. He always lets me win. He’s so wrinkled in that bed, like a balloon with all the air let out. I tell a joke, and he attempts a laugh, it’s like his spirit’s still alive and his body has just given up.

My Grandpa loves me, and I love him.