My Grandfather Left Me Something They Never Wanted Me to See

gloves tucked beneath one arm.

Rain still clung to my shoulders from the cemetery.

“Good afternoon, Dad.”

His eyes moved slowly over my ribbons.

My medical insignia.

Every decoration I had earned during a career he had mocked from the very beginning.

“The family physician finally showed up.”

He laughed softly.

“Should everyone line up if they need a headache continue reading …