« She recognized you. »
« Annie, I’m an old man. At this point, people stare to make sure I’m moving. »
« Yes. I’m sorry. Clumsy. »
***
I’d saved for 3 years to bring Grandpa Henry back to Oahu.
He’d survived Pearl Harbor during World War II, then returned to Ohio, met my grandmother Evelyn, and built a life that never quite left room for Hawaii.
After Grandma Evelyn died, I’d sometimes find him tracing the Pacific on the old map above his kitchen table.
« Just once more, » he’d say. « I’d like to smell that ocean before I go. »
I’d saved for 3 years.
He’d called me every Sunday for as long as I could remember, so I saved until I could show up with two tickets.
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