“To be near you”
Chuck Martin
It was Thanksgiving afternoon. All the food had been consumed, roast turkey, giblet gravy, corn, biscuits, cranberries, and of course, pumpkin pie topped with thick whip cream. Football played on the TV, Colts verses the Vikings, and with everyone’s stomach full, the family plopped down on couches, soft chairs, and floor to view the game.
I retired to my office to check the email for the day and write on a story I had started a few days back. Tinker, our border collie, full from under the table scrapes, curled up contented on the floor next to me. I started up the computer, moused up email, and started to read when my grandson, Cole, strolled in. Darn, I thought, I need to get this done, and here comes the questions. I loved that little guy but Cole was a curious boy and never satisfied with only one answer.
That morning I was tuning up my lawn mower with the garage door open. Cole had been playing by himself in the front yard. He darted behind my pick-up truck and crouched down behind the front wheel. Jumping up he pointed his toy rifle over the hood at imaginary bad guys, “Ka-kew…Ka-Kew” he yelled, jerking the gun with each pronouncement, then ducked back down. He glanced over, saw me and came over in a stooped position. “What cha’ doin‘?’” he asked.
“Why are you walking hunched over like that?”
“I don’t want ‘em to see me.”
“Who?,” I asked.
“Injun’s.” he said and stood up. “Are you working on your lawn mower?”
“What’s it look like?”
“Yep, yer workin’ on yer lawn mower.“
“It needs tuning up,” I said as I removed the old spark plug and screwed in a new one.
“Why?”
“Because it’s running rough.”
“Won’t mow huh?,” Cole said patting the top of the engine.
“No,” I answered, “It’ll mow alright. Just needs a little tune up.”
“Oh,” Cole said, “What’s that?” pointing at the starter rope.
“You pull it to start the engine. Say, how olds are you now?” I said trying to change the subject.
“Seven’”
“You sure ask a lot of questions for seven. Why don’t you go in the house and see what your mom and grand-mom are cooking. I’ll just bet it’s something great.”
“Can’t,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Cuz they told me to come out side an’ play an’ get out from under
their feet.”
“I see…”
Well, here I sat at my computer wanting to get some work done and in walked Cole. He walked over and put his hand on my back. “What ya doin’, granddad?”
“Workin’ on the computer, and I have lots of work to do… don’t need a lot of questions.”
“Gee, granddad I’m not gonna’ ask any questions.”
“Your not?” I said surprised.
“Nope, I just wanted to be with you.” he said and sat down in a chair by the window. He sat their in silence watching me as I worked and never said a word.
On this Thanksgiving day there’s so much to be thankful for. How wonderful to have my grandson just want to be near me. It’s the little things, isn’t it.
