A Simple Life: Chapter 176

After a quick stop to pick up a little of my own makeup I am soon rolling into the parking are of the piers. I let out a loud laugh as I catch sight of a half dozen tourists from the mainland gathered near the benches just South of the lot. As I turn the engine off I can already hear the tinkle of Grandpa’s keyboard. Stepping out I instantly recognize the familiar notes of Piano Man, though I already knew the song before opening the door by the way the people swayed back and forth to the rhythm. I slip on my backpack, grab the bag, and hurry my way to join the group.

Without missing a beat Grandpa gives me that same special smile and nod he always does when I stray into one of his performances and carries on with just a little bit more feeling. The song is finished to jovial applause. His fingers never stop as he transitions straight into a swinging rendition of In The Mood to fill the space.

“This good lookin fella that just wandered in happens to be my grandson, Avery.” He says, beaming with pride. “Handsome, ain’t he?” I smile and blush as everybody looks my way and smiles back. “If you happen to notice that twinkle in his eyes, her name is Winona.” This gets a round of chuckles from the crowd. “Say hello, Buttercup.”

I giggle. “H-Hi everyone.”

“Say hello, everyone.”

“Hello, Buttercup.” The others say in unison.

“Ha ha!” The volume and intensity of the music rises as a pair of them hive off and begin to ballroom dance right there on the pavement. I laugh and clap as the others start to snap and tap their toes to the jazzy beat. Before I know it everyone is dancing, me included! His happy blue eyes glinting in the midday sun that was just now breaking through the clouds Grandpa watches the fun, the performer had become the audience. The dance-along then becomes a sing-along as he finishes his set with a rousing version of Country Roads, always a crowd pleaser. We are still buzzing when he returns a sort of background music version of In The Mood again and says. “Well folks. That’s it for me. I hope that you enjoy our beautiful island home. And remember, life is made of moments. Make every one count.”

He plays the last note to another round of applause. There is laughter and smiles as the tourists gather in around them. As one is asking him about his socials and if he had a YouTube channel I hear another near me saying to his wife. “I can’t believe we just stumbled into that.” I too get some attention as I’m told that I had cool Grandpa. As if I didn’t know. With a jolly spring in their step the group wanders up the street to take in more of Haven Point’s historic Old Town.

“Runnin a couple minutes late.” Grandpa quips as he sparks up a smoke.

“He he he! No problem.”

He folds down the stand under his keyboard and picks it up as he stands.

“You didn’t have a h-hat out or anything.” I say. “Coulda gotten some g-good tips from that crowd.”

With a wistful grin he just pats my shoulder in reply. Side by side we make our way for his floating home. I start off at our normal pace but soon I’m forced to slow my gait a step to stay with him. With that old, familiar smell of tobacco smoke singeing my nostrils I could his breathing, labored and wheezing, especially as we climb the ramp. Unlike the old days he gratefully accepts my help up the last few feet. Grandpa was slowing down. He was getting weaker. Holding onto to the good feelings from his music I push the sadness away and focus on how grateful I was to have him here now.

“What’s all this you’re bringing?” He asks as takes a seat on deck. “Stayin over?”

“No.” I say. “Just some stuff. I got something f-for you.”

“Oh!” He takes the bag as I offer it to him and begins to inspect. “Now what could this be?”

“A gift.”

“For me? What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion, Grandpa.” I giggle. “As for what it is…I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to.”

“Mmm. Now I’m intrigued.” He butts out his smoke to give the item his full attention. I pull up a seat beside as I watch him with rising eagerness. One by one he pulls the layers of paper away until at last the bright spectrum of colors revealed. “What is this!?” His face lights up as he lifts the weird piece of art up to get a full look at it. His smile is the most wonderful thing ever. Bringing it in close he squints to see all the little details on the tiny metal fish then pulls it away again to take it’s overall daisy shape in. “I don’t know what it is.” He says at last. “But I love it!”

My grin couldn’t have been bigger or harder. “I s-saw it and I thought of you. I thought it would fit in with all y-your stuff.”

“Yeah it will.” He says. “This is going right up in the cockpit. Right above the helm.”

“Above the helm!? B-But Grandma…”

“This’ll be right beside her.” Setting the gift down he leans over and gives me a big hug and kiss to my cheek. “Thank you, Buttercup.”

“I’m glad you like it, Grandpa.”

As he pulls back he brings my left hand with him. Holding it in his he runs his thumb across my ring. “And what is this I see?”

“A promise ring.” I say, my face beaming as bright as my heart.

As we sit holding hand I catch Grandpa up on all the big news from yesterday. The yucky bits I downplay as I wanted all the sun to shine on only the good parts. As I knew he would be Grandpa was nothing but supportive.

“I am so happy for you, Avery.” He says with a gentle pat to my cheek. “You and Winona are going to be so happy. I just know it. I…”

The message from his heart is rudely interrupted by a jag from his lungs. I hurry to bring him some water as he wheezes and hacks his way through a coughing fit.

“Hrmm! Sorry.” He croaks as he takes the water from me to smooth his windpipe. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” I whisper. “Grandpa…if you ever n-n-eed anything…anything…even if I’m n-not here…”

Taking my hand he gives it a supportive squeeze. “I know who to call.”

“Anytime, Grandpa.”

After another drink of water he nods down toward my backpack. “Althea?”

“Oh…um, yeah.”

“I was wondering if I’d get to see her today.”

“Grandpa…Althea is actually my ch-character’s name.

“I know.”

“I don’t r-really know if that’s m-m-my girl name or…um. I’m still figuring things out.”

His voice low and kind he leans in. “It’s a lot to figure out, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s okay. Important things take time.”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “But! But…you can call me Althea if you want to, Grandpa.”

“Is that what you want, Avery?”

I take a deep, trembling breath and nod. “I think it’s p-pretty. I’d l-l-like it try it, if that’s okay?””

“It is very pretty.” With a gentle hand he pats my shoulder. “Why don’t I make us some of my world famous spicy salmon sandwiches.”

“Ooo! Yes, please.”

He winks. “I sure hope Althea likes spicy salmon sandwiches.”

“G-Grandpa!” I giggle. “She’s still me! She’s…she’s…” My voice softens. “…me?”

Another hug, another kiss on my cheek, and another warm smile. “I’ll be in the galley.”

Chapter 177