He sat with his wife’s photo, waiting for a son who had already boarded without him

in the mirror, anxious to look perfect.

I kept checking Grandpa’s eyes, watching for signs that he was present with us. In the back seat, I whispered to him. “Are you excited, Grandpa?”

He didn’t answer, just stared out the window and hummed something. I almost recognized the tune, maybe an old military song, maybe a lullaby. I squeezed his hand.

“We’re continue reading …