Old Man Walters

I get on the plane and make my way to first class. I never used to fly first class. I remember the days that I used to fly as a student back home sitting cramped between two other people on the plane. It was horrible as I remember there was one specific day that I flew back and there were two people, a husband and a wife sitting on either side of me fighting with each other. I can assure you that you do not forget a flight like that.

"Mam, would you like something to drink?"

"Yes..." I think I have the right to at least relax a little on my way back to the place that I once called home.

"Please can I have a whiskey?"

I wait patiently until she gives me my drink. I sit back in my chair and take a sip of my drink. I think to myself that I really did need this small breakaway. No, one person can always work without a break. I lay back down and get comfortable in my chair and close my eyes thinking of how I am going to deal with my hometown.

It does not take me long before I fall asleep. I feel someone touching my shoulder waking me up.

"Mam, we have arrived"

"Oh thank you"

I feel a little bit embarrassed that I fell asleep on the plane. I did not know how tired I was. Then I look out of the window and I see, dirt and sand as far as I can see with one or two trees before my eyes and I know I am home.

I make my way to a taxi that takes about an hour to arrive at the airport. The time in this little town is nothing compared to the time in the city. The city is fast-paced but here, in my hometown, things are slower than a snail.

As we drive through the streets, there are one or two shops that you see next to the road, my thoughts go back to the days in high school. Nothing I remember was good. I was bullied and verbally abused most of the time.

I finally see my house. This house brings back lots and lots of memories and it also brings out two men that can not wait to see me. They have been my rocks throughout my life. I have never met my mother as she died giving birth to me. My brother was my protector. He was the one that always got into fights with other kids because they bullied me. I am forever in his debt.

"Honey! You are home!"

My dad comes running, to hug me, and my brother, Brandon, is not far behind.

"I am so glad you are home, sis!"

"Me too! I am so happy to be home. I have missed the men in my life."

LUKE POV

I drive towards my house and I can not believe the scene that is unfolding before my eyes. The house looks like no one has taken care of anything on the outside. To be frank it looks like the house has been deserted. Concern fills my heart as I know that my grandpa is not getting any younger.

I guess I will spend my breakaway tending to his house. I used to love working in the garden with my grandpa and I know that he enjoyed it a lot. So this is very sad for me to see his house looking like this. It must then break his heart that he can not fix his own garden.

I turn into the driveway and I see the front door opening. I see the man coming out of his house and he does not look like my grandpa. I remember a man young and full of life and now all that is left is an old man that looks like he has given up.

I tried to smile when I get out of my car but my heart says an entirely different story. But then I see that old man smiling at me and I know that he needs me more than I need him. I walked toward him and he spread his arms wide open for me to hug him.

"Grandpa!"

"Luke I am so happy to see you here on my porch. I remember the days that you played with your little toy cars on this porch for hours. I am so happy you returned home"

"Grandpa I am just as happy to see you too. I have missed you so much"

We walk inside and the same feeling that I got when I saw the house on the outside I feel on the inside of the house. It is clear that he needs some help but he is stubborn and will not ask for any help.

"Grandpa, do you have any help around the house?"

"Oh, who needs help?"

"Grandpa, look around, you need some help"

"Do not tell me you came here all the way from the city, just to tell me how to run my own home"

"Grandpa, do not be so stubborn as Dad is"

"Luke, stop talking nonsense, and let's have a cup of coffee"

He leads me to the kitchen and then takes about an hour to get us a cup of coffee. I offered to help him several times but he is just too stubborn to accept any help. I know now that this stay, would be a stay full of challenges but I will try everything that I can to get him back on track again.

Just then there is a knock on the door.

"Grandpa, am I allowed to open the door for you?"

"Now do not you be silly, boy. Go and open the door. You are not too old to get a hiding"

I laugh at the thought of this old man trying to give me a hiding but I stand up and I go to open the door. I open the door and I find a man that I do not know.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

"Hello? I am sorry, am I at the wrong place?"

"Who are you looking for?"

"I am looking for old man Walters?"

"Oh, you are in the right place. He is just in the kitchen"

Then my grandpa comes out of the kitchen.

"Luke, this is Brandon, he is the stubborn person, that keeps on bringing me groceries. Would you please chase him away? I keep on telling him not to come but when I look again, he is right here on my doorstep. And if that is not enough, he leaves the groceries by the door if I do not open the door."