A story about life. It could be from days gone by or just out of the imagination. Ill let you decide. Grandfatherss Story Book! Narrator: Grandfather sat on the porch where he grew up. His grandson, Johnny, was sitting beside him, asking how it felt to grow up in the same house as his father before him. Feeling the sun fade as the evening light withers, closing his eyes and sees his life as a lad, he remembers. Grandfather: “I was out in the field one morning, just before the sun peeked its light over the horizon, gathering the corn for the husker’s party later that night. I remember that smell of fresh stalks of golden kernels just before the haze burned away from the suns heat. Ten bushels gathered, my hands torn from the pull of each cob from the stalk. What awesome smell it left behind.” “I can see almost a mile across the field, and hear the distant sounds of cattle driven from one side of the dirt road to the other, for grazing in the fresh cut wheat fields” “Just on the other side of Castle Creek, lays the home of Farmer Vince, and his beautiful yet shy daughter, Dawn Michelle. How I have fancied that sweet maiden from the first time my eyes gazed upon her smile. I was, enchanted by angels, hearing only the songs of love and smells of sweet chocolate.” “I remember when we crossed Castle Bridge in midsummer. The sun: was hot, wind was calm and we over heated and dared each other to dip in the cool waters below. Dawn Michelle teased to go first as I fought her, both of us fell in and laughed! We climbed out and walked home. I knew she was the one!” Narrator: The old man lifts his cup of tea to his lips, gently blowing the steam too cool it enough to taste. Hands, hardened from working in the fields, giving him a sense of pride and honor to have so much in his life. Grandfather: “Dawn Michelle and I had a special place where we sat and tell stories of our grandfathers and fathers. How they forged each brick with mud, straw, and ash to make ready for the kiln. The bricks were fired red hot and cooled overnight in sand. Some came out looking like glass beads sparkling in the sun, while others turned black as coal. Each brick was used to build the houses and barn’s we lived in.” “At the end of daylight, Dawn Michelle and I walked to her porch where Farmer Vince looked at me, with barehanded eyes. I swear I seen the devil breathe fire from his ears as the smoked rose to around his head from his pipe. Red eyes cooled as I asked her father, if I may have her as my bride. He demanded me to court her with dignity, grace, and attend the church together with his family and mine.” “My family, not religious in nature, reluctant in satisfying this request, still attended the services, and somehow blessed my parents in spirit. I was put to the test of her father’s venue, giving tasks that may have been created by God himself, I endured them, concord them and won the praise of her father, mother and family. A year later we were married! At last, my life seemed complete.” Narrator: Grandfather, bending slightly forward, reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture. The couple in it was so young and daring. They looked happy and contented, the glow upon the girls face showed the joy of being with someone she loved. The young man looked like he would bust at the seams if you poke him with a stick. Grandfather’s face faded from the glow of the sun, as a shadow embrace him. Grandfather: “It took us 3 long years to finally decide it’s time to have a child. Do not get me wrong my son, when I say those were the best 10 months of my life. It took me an extra month to get over the shock. I was in hopes for a boy, she was praying for a girl. God decided to teach us a lesson and give us both at one time. It seemed like a good idea at the time, then came every 4 hours of feeding, diapering, burping, and purging.” “If one was awake, the other was sleeping. If one had a bad dream, the other one was cooing. I prayed, momma cried, the children looked like angels then demons. It is as if God knew what we could handle, barely. Jake and Millie were like the same copy of one another with different thoughts leading to their consistent high jinx.” ”Their first crawl on the rug gave them the wisdom on how to use a static charge stored in their diapers to torch-er the dog, the fish and mama’s bare legs. I was smart enough to use glove’s before lifting those little trouble makers higher than my kneecaps.“ “Toddlers have a unique ability to find things to pull off tables, mantels, open doors and find things to pull out of unlocked drawers. Candles became teething rings, toilet paper used for bandages, wrapping up the dog, and making his sister look like a mummy or seeing where the toilet paper went when they flushed one part of the roll, exclaiming to their mom. “Paper went down the hole!”” “Including my keys, momma’s bracelet, and a few choice items that they would get their hands on, I learned how to be a plumber in no time at all. We also learned that locks: all over the house does not stop young inquiring minds set on one goal. Piss mama and papa off!” Narrator: Reaching over the table, picks up the cup and puts it to his lips to blow some steam off, takes a sip. Grandfather: “Mama? Could you please put more tea on? She makes the best tea around here. She even grows her own tea leaves! Bet you didnt know that about your grandmother, now did you!” Johnny: “No I didnt. How did she get started doing that? I didnt think you could grow tea leaves around here!” Grandfather: “You cant grow tea around here! The soil will not take it! But mama found a way! I remember when she first started to read up about teas and what it took to grow it. That first day was the happiest and saddest time for her. She also learned its best to let go, then run to the school with tissues, cough medicines and bandages, for every sniffle, or scraped knee.” Johnny: “What happened to her? Why was she sad?” Grandfather: “I was tending to the harvest that day! When I came home, just before lunch, I saw mama kneeling on the floor, tears running down her face. ”What happened mama: Did you fall?” She said no. “Did something happen to the twins?” She said yes, I became panicky! “What happened mama? Tell me, please!” Mama turned to me, crying harder, she held me tight and looked into my eyes. She told me the twins were gone! I thought for a moment, looked into her baby blue eyes, wiped away the tears.” “OH mama, Im sorry that you feel like their gone. They did have the first day of school today sweetheart! They will be back, heading for the cookie jar as soon as they get home!” Mama: “Your not just saying that are you? If you are Im gonna give you what fore!” Grandfather: ““I promise my love, they are growing up and we have to let them my darling. Come with me, we will make some lunch together!” I couldnt help but laugh the rest of the day. That is when she decided to read one of them fancy, homegrown books. Found one about herbal teas and what it takes to mix the mix, as I call it. That is why I drink what she created! Its either drink it or sleep on the couch! I rather suffer and take my meds.” ”One word of advice my son! If she made it. You make the most of it and give it to the dog under the table when shes not looking! Come to think about it. Our dogs always had a youthful mannerism about them. Trying to hump everything from fish, to the garden hose. Well, Johnny! Its time for dinner. Remind me to tell you about your dad before he met your mom. Now that one, gives my heart a smile!” Narrator: Sitting at the dinner table, Grampa, Gramma and Johnny, sat and waited for Johnnys parents to sit down before eating. Although Johnny kept grabbing at the fried chicken sitting before him. Grampa: “Now now Johnny, dont be in such a rush! They are still to hot to grab without burning your hands! “ Johnny: “Its ok Grampa Ill be careful. I have Grammas thongs!” Gramma: “You have my what?” Grampa: “You ment tongs, didnt you?” Johnny: “I guess so! Whats the difference?” Gramma: “Never mind, youll find out when you get older!” Johnny: “Why? What are thongs? Are they metal pointy things like these, what you call them? Tongs?” Grampa: “Oh my word! Thongs are like straight jackets! They sre suppose to keep everything covere, yet bearly do. If you ever see Gramma in a thong, look the other way! Shes known to give the younger guys wedgies before she gets her hands on them!” Gramma: “Grampa! Shush Buttmonkey!” Grampa: “Its ok sweetheart Im defending your honor and making sure the thongs dont stick to places their not suppose to!” Johnny: “So, thongs are like duct tape, they stick to places Im not suppose to know about until Im older, yet you make it sound like if you wear a thong, everything hangs out? You two are confusing me!” Grampa: “ Dont worry Johnny, by the time you reach our age youll be wondering why we even have these conversations with the younger generation! We were forced to when your parents wont tell you detail of what life is before your time! Gramma: “And the way Grampa tells it, you might want to seek therapy before your 7 years old!” Narrator: Johnny just sat there looking at both of them looking at each other. In walks Johnnys parents, Don and Mary Jo and with the potatos, corn bread and mixed veggies! Johnny: “Mom, what are thongs? Grampa says their like duct tape that suppose to keep things covered up but dont and Gramma said I dont need to know until Im older.” Mary Jo: “Well, sweetheart, ummm, lets see! How can I answer that? Ask your father!” Don: ”Sure pass the buck why dont cha!” Johnny: “Are you going to pay me not to ask that question like you told me not to say moms pudding was lumpy like my bed?” Gramma: “Busted Buster Brownburgers! And here I thought Grampa was bad! Now I see where Don gets it from!” Grampa: “Dont look at me mama, I was sleeping at the time when you took care of him. Everything you told him went in one ear and out the other end like yesterdays chili!” Don: “Im innocent, he got paid when I wasnt looking!” Johnny: “Its true mom, dad told me to go in your wallet and take out a dollar!” MaryJo: “And did you go in there and take out a dollar? Johnny: “No mom, I didnt. Dad said never go in your wallet because there are monsters in there that would eat my hand off!” Don: “Im not gonna get out of this one, am I? Grampa: “Don, best to fess up while you still have a bed to sleep in. You know your couch has seen better days! Like when I slept on it! MaryJo: “That reminds me Grampa, I found something of yours in that couch!” Grampa: “Really? Did you find my old teeth? Money? Grammas training bra?” Johnny: “Why would gramma need a training bra? Does Gramma train bras?” Gramma: “Thats number two infraction! MaryJo do you have room at your house for an old fart with tall tails that get him in hot water?” MaryJo: “They both can keep each other company in the barn! Would teach em a lesson!” Grampa: “Oh I got a special spot in that barn where I hid the corn mash and girly mags! Well be set for a month!” MaryJo: “Dont go encouraging him, I found those mags and the corn mash. Used them in the wood stove. Kept the house warm for 6 months.” Don: “Anything else you need to say before they sentence us to hard labor with a piece of bread and a drop of water dad?” Johnny: “I wanna hear about how Gramma trains bras!” Narrator: That was the first time in years no one said a word during supper, except for Johnny of course. Johnny: “Gramma? Do you use a whip and chair to train your bras or do you give them commands like Dad does with the dogs and feed them snacks?” Narrator: After dinner, Grampa, Gramma, Don, MaryJo and Johnny sat around the fireplace. Johnny still puzzled about why everyone was so quiet, asked Grampa to tell the story about how he survived during the war and about the scar he had on his hands. Grampa: When I first married Gramma, the government had a draft! It was more a volentary/nonvolentary way of saying, You choose what militray service go to into, yet your going weather you like it or not! Johnny: Dont seem fair! What if you didnt want to go? Gramma: Grampa could have moved to Canada! I begged him to go but he said “It is my duty to serve my country when provoked! Or in this case, when our country needed military men and women, they asked nicely with a OR ELSE clause. I went and learned more then I bargained for.” Grampa was always loyal to this great land of ours, he just never liked what the government was doing to it! Grampa: I still dont! When I got my training done and was assigned to a post overseas, a couple of friends and I got our chance to take a break in Siagon. It was like a way station where anything that can happen, usually does. There were, cafes, places where you can see a show or two. Shops where you can buy goods and food idems. Massage parlors, I didnt go in there except for once to help with a kink in my back. There was this one gal named.... Let me think... Nietoes... Yes thats it! Nietoes. She would walk on your back, massaging it and popped my spine back in alignment. I tried to get Gramma to do that one time, I was in traction for a month! Gramma: Well you said bounce here and rub there! Grampa: I said bounce not kangroo jump! Johnny: I seen Gramma jump a few times. I keep wondering how she can avoid getting her faced punched by her chest! Her chest is huge! A friend of mine said if Gramma ever fell down, face first, she would bounce back up without hitting her face on the ground with those balloons! Gramma: JOHNNY! Thats no way to talk about me now is it? Johnny: Sorry Gramma. Grampa said Im suppose to report to him about everything I see and learn. Gramma: I should have known! Grampa: Back to the story! One night while my friends and I were strolling in the alleys of Siagon, a few guys walked by us, turned around and pointed, what looked like hatchets or short swords at us, demanding our money. Since we heard what could happen, we didnt take any chances and passed out wallets to them. We thought they would just take them and run away but they opened the wallets up and found the note we had in it. It Read, “Who ever takes this wallet! Good luck finding money in it!” So they came at us with the hatchets, We blocked them, put down these men. Tied them up, and contacted the police.” “One of my friends noticed blood dripping from the back of my hands where the blades hit. Nothing major but I didnt feel any pain till I looked at it. The medic unit was great at repair of the hands but not the soul of a person. Never went back there, but did have a new found appreciation for the people I trained and served with. I still hear Jack, the only one left, besides me. Hes doing fine and fishing most of the time across the US. Johnny: Im glad you made it back, Grampa. Grampa: I had to come back. Gramma would have made me eat her pot luck stew if I didnt. Dont tell Gramma, but I love everything she makes. I just love to tease her and make life a bit more fun and unpredictable while frustrating her to no end. Johnny: I think she heard you! Don: Johnny, its time for bed kiddo! Johnny: Aweee, Can I stay up for a while yet. I want to hear another one of Grampas stories! Grampa: No not now Johnny. But after Church tomorrow Ill tell you how Gramma trains her bras! Gramma: And youll find out how the couch feels if you do? Hear me fuzzy? Grampa: Yes dear, my darling sweetie pie, my babydoll of life and limb. My everything under the sun, moon, stars, and bed sheets! Wonders if I sucked up enough to get back on her good side! Gramma: Maybe, you still have one thing left to say dont you? Grampa: Ummm give me a hint! Is it veggtable, mineral, animal, clothes or medication? I know I know. I love you Dawn Michelle. Smoooochies my darlin! Gramma: Much better Marshmello Man. Grampa’s Story Time Part Four! Narrator: As the family gathers in the living room, Johnny takes a book off the shelf and hands it to Grampa. Grampa hands it back to Johnny and scoffs at the book. Grampa: You want a real story, something that dont involve old ladies on brook sticks trying to sweet decent folks into a fire place. I have a story for you that may seem like a fantasy, but it came true for one of my friends when we were about your age. Interested? Johnny quickly agreed! Gramps: Willy was about your age; I was a year older yet not much wiser. We were always looking for that next big thrill. Anything to keep out of trouble, yet trouble always seems to follow us. About 3 miles away from here, used to be an old abandoned cave. We always thought, just maybe we could find gold or silver in it! We always heard stories about how the ghosts of that cave would scare thrill seekers to dared to venture into that hole in the mountain. Our parents always warned us, if we go in that came, Old Man Jinx, would follow us home and haunt us until we were a hundred years old. Johnny: Does he haunt you Grampa? Grampa: I will get to that later! One night, Willy and I, with our curiosity brewing in our mischievous minds, took our parents flashlights and hunting knives just in case we needed to take out some animals that were known to live there, and a few road torches. “I got the sandwiches!” Willy sure knew how to pack a lunch or snack when we are trying not to get in trouble! There we were, standing at the mouth of the cave, hearing a growling sound, we rushed past the danger and do not enter sign, seems like: we were more afraid of being outside that cave, then being inside it. Taking out our flashlights, the one I had turned on all by itself. I tried to turn it off with the switch it would not budge. Willy took his out of the backpack; it was already on! The switch on his would not shut the flashlight off as well. John: There must be some metal in the air or something! Willy: Or something! I will go with the metal! Sounds less scary. Grampa: We walked deeper into the cave! Willy tripped on a metal bar lying on the ground! We took a shovel we found and cleared away some dirt around the bar! There we saw, what looked like, railroad tracks! They lead us around a bend in a tunnel where we found an old minor bucket! It was square, with four wheels on it. It had a poll that attached to one of the wheels as if it was a brake. A few feet in front of the bucket along the tracks it sat on, was a drop off. We tried to look down there but it was too dark. That is when our flashlights started to flicker. Willys flashlight turned, off but mine was flashing slowly, then faster. All at once, Willy screamed, “RUN! IT’S JINX!” I looked behind me, saw that white, powered face, and screamed! Willy jumped in the bucket and grabbed my shirt taking me in with him. The brake let go and we started rolling near the drop off. Old man Jinx ran towards us, grabbing my shirt. Down we went with Jinx holding on! The box was tossing us both back and forth; Willy picked up a shovel and tried to hit Jinx with it. Jinx laughed and let go, flying up to the ceiling and disappeared! The box was tossing us front and back, over one hill and another! We came to a rest at the top of one of the hills, Teetering back and forth. If we leaned back, we would ride backwards where Jinxs would get us. If we leaned forward, the hill that seems to be a straight downward ride would surely be our doom! Jinx came flying towards us; laughing like a crazed coal miner, pushing us over the edge! Down we went, faster and faster, holding on to each other, screaming like schoolgirls at a frat party! The box dipped and banked to one side. We were relieved, seeing the box is not on solid ground. Yet the speed was fast, I grabbed the break handle and started to pull. It would not budge! “Willy, I need your help!” Willy just sat there with his eyes wide open and screamed again. “Will you get over here and help me?” Willy: Pull harder! We have to get this thing to stop! Grampa: When you have two kids, not trying to get in trouble and somehow, there it is! Fast approaching us was a solid rock wall! That is where the tracks ended. Willy and I pulled that brake so hard the handle broke off! We looked at each other and seen that wall coming up to meet us. Both jumped to the back of the box, covered our head and braced for impact. Narrator: Grampa picked up his cup, took a sip and looked into Johnnys eyes. Johnny: I hope you were not hurt too bad when you hit that wall! Grampa: We were so scared, we hoped someone would have found our bodies splattered against that wall, and take us back to our parents. Johnny: Well, you are here means you survived! So what happened? How did you survive and get out alive? Grampa: Imagine you are heading for a wall at top speed, the brake handle is broken off and there is no way to stop it! You can see the blood splatter all over that wall from others that must have hit it! There was no other way through that wall! Here comes the wall. WHAM! We flew out of that box, onto a large pile of hey, outside that cave, on the other side of the hill! We looked at the box; the front end was pushed in! We looked up towards the top of the hill and Jinx was screaming “GET OUT!” He did not have to tell me twice, I grabbed Willy by the shirt and ran home! I let him go when I got to my front porch. I looked at the house. A ball of light was moving from one room to the next on the second floor, then from the living room and dining room. I got to the front door, reaching for the knob! The door flew open and the light was in my face. I screamed! I felt something grab me! Joe: John! Calm down son! What are you doing out here at this time of night? John: Well I.. I... I... Joe: Oh! I see. Old Man Jinx does that to unwanted guests. John: How did you... Joe: My dad knew when I did it. You cannot keep secrets away from a, not too distant troublemaker as momma and me! At least you came home with dry undies. Grampa: It is time for bed young man! Sleeps tight do not let Old Man Jinx bug you at night! Narrator: Everyone started heading up the stairs for bed. Grampa stood up, walked to the fireplace where a portrait of his father hung. Pointed at the painting and sighed! Grampa: Dad! Remember when you said that our generation has the curiosity of a cat, with the nine lives of one! I wonder if Don and Mary Jo know what their son will do now! Have to admit one thing dad. Sure taught me to be careful when I go exploring, thanks to you, ‘Old Man Jinx’ Narrator: As Grampa started to climb the stair, he can hear that deep, cynical laughter, just like his dad would do as he finished a scary story. To Be Continued!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 04:41:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015