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

go get coffee for your father and me. Something strong. And be quick.”

I looked at Grandpa. “What about him?”

“He’s fine,” she dismissed. “We will be right back.”

She was already walking away. Dad led Grandpa to a chair in the quietest corner of the terminal—a row of seats near a frosted window looking out at the tarmac. Grandpa sat obediently, still continue reading …