The Way I Remember

“Look at me.”

“What for?”

“I am trying to draw you.”

“Will you draw me with a big fish in my hands?”

“You didn’t catch anything, grandpa.”

“I had a few bites. I bet one was a pike. Bigger than what your dad caught last year.”

“It doesn't count. I am drawing you standing on the boat launch with the sunset behind you. Just the way I see you, no fish.”

“Such a shame, I did not realize my granddaughter could not draw fish.”

“I can’t draw you when you’re talking, grandpa.”

**********************

“Grandpa, I can’t keep up with you.”

“We need to enter the woods before sunrise if you want raspberries for breakfast.”

“Grandma told me that you will be so focused on collecting mushrooms and berries that you will forget to watch me.”

“I might.”

“Why are you smiling?”

“No reason.”

“I wish I had stayed home.”

“Remember when you were younger? I would take you to the woods, point at the trees, and ask you what they were?”

“I do. I could never memorize it, though.”

“Let’s see. What is this?”

“Easy, maple”.

“That one?”

“Dunno.”

“How come you are shrugging your shoulders? It’s an apple tree.”

“I see no apples.”

“You will in the fall. I actually fell from an apple tree when I was a kid.”

“Yeah?”

“My friends from the orphanage convinced me to go to our neighbor while she was gone and steal her fruits. I was the tallest kid, so they made me climb that apple tree in the yard."

"You've told me this story before."

"They said to pick as many apples as I could. I was in the middle of collecting them when I heard Aunt Natasha yelling and my friends running away through the crack in the fence. Looking back, it sounds so silly!"

“When are we coming back, grandpa?”

**********************

“Can I have a bag of chips?”

“You bet. I got my pension last Monday.”

“How much is your pension?”

“Enough to spoil my granddaughter.”

“When is the bus coming?”

“We don’t have money left for the bus.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I spent the last coins on the bag of chips.”

“I am not walking to the house, it’s an hour away! And it’s cold! Grandma won’t like that.”

“We won’t tell grandma....”

“I don’t like it.”

“We’re almost home. I have one more riddle for you. Your dad’s favorite. The more there is, the less you see. What is it?”

“Sun? Because you get blinded by it.”

“That’s a good one! But the answer is just the opposite, darkness.”

“Why did you lie about the money, grandpa?”

**********************

“Why didn’t you get a driver’s license earlier, grandpa?”

“I never had to. Plus, cars were more expensive than bus tickets. But now, buses don’t take me to the best fishing lakes. Neither does your dad.”

“Grandma told me that you got a driver’s license to kill her in an accident.”

“She's survived all my attempts so far.”

“She also says I shouldn’t be driving with you.”

“Grandma definitely knows what she’s talking about.”

“I’m meeting my friend in the park in 20 minutes.”

“Do you want a ride?”

“I’ll take a bus, grandpa.”

**********************

“I brought you some groceries and cat food while grandma is in the hospital.”

“Come in! I was just about to have some tea.”

“How are your legs?”

“Better! I stand up a few times per day now.”

“Did dad talk to you about our summer trip?”

“Yes. He thinks I can’t go.”

“You’ve not been walking much recently.”

“I told him I am feeling better. I even had a dream last night.”

“What did you see?”

“I was collecting mushrooms in the woods. Walking just fine, so I must be getting better.”

“I brought you some books you can read in bed. Do you have any old books you can share with me?”

“You can take any! My favorite is The Headless Horsemen. I was given it by my army friend.”

“I didn’t know you were in the military.”

“I spent 2 years overseas. Fergana Valley was the name of the place.”

“I’ll write it down. Maybe I can visit it someday.”

“You wouldn’t believe it’s real. It's such a gorgeous place. Do you know that I also got to see the American U-2 fly over?”

“I need to go, grandpa. I will come back to listen to the rest of the story, I promise.”

**********************

“I ordered a taxi. Will you be able to go downstairs on your own?”

“Yes, but it will take a while.”

“They’ll wait.”

“I am sorry I am causing trouble.”

“Don’t say it.”

“Can you help me tie my laces? I can’t bend.”

“Sure. Can I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“What is your favorite cake?”

“Bird’s milk. My mother used to make it for me when I was a kid.”

“I thought you grew up in an orphanage.”

“I did.”

“What happened to your mom?”

“She couldn’t raise two kids on her own.”

“So, she was alive?”

“She was. But she stayed with my sister.”

“I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“That’s why I go uptown once a month.”

“That sounds unfair.”

“Not to me. I had the greatest childhood in the orphanage.”

“Could you tell me more, grandpa?”

**********************

“I made you the cake, grandpa.”

“Could you bring it to the bedroom? I can’t sit in the kitchen.”

“Yes, I'm coming. Sorry for waking you up.”

“No worries. Your dad will have to change my bandage anyway.”

“Is it getting better?”

“Absolutely. Could you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Don’t look at me when your dad is changing the bandage.”

“I won’t love you less if I see it.”

“I doubt it.”

“Why are you smiling?”

“No reason.”

“I can stay and talk for a few hours.”

“No need to. I will take a nap after you leave.”

“I will see you tomorrow, grandpa.”

**********************

“My parents told me, grandpa.”

“I am sorry.”

“I couldn’t enter the church knowing that I would see you like this.”

“I appreciate you coming.”

“Grandma was on her knees crying.”

“Take care of her."

“Dad will help make the arrangements.”

“He was a huge help recently.”

“I am moving out in a few months.”

“Where are you going?”

“A small town in America, right next to a lake. I wish you could visit.”

**********************

“Why aren’t you talking, grandpa?”