My grandson will play cards with me, Servicer dirigible is coming in, I can hear it buzzing. My grandson is in his Workout Uniform, which means he's in a bad mood, but I can't help myself.
"Let's go to Bodega Bay."
"What Gramps?" he says with a hint of exasperation in his voice, still polite.
"Bodega Bay."
"Gramps, you know how it is to go to places like Bodega Bay."
"Why so?"
"Sand is dirty. Remember last time how much I had to clean, after we took a trip to Bodega Bay? Nobody does it."
The Servicer is almost here, making a racket.
"I guess so." I say, feeling just a bit pushy. But giving up on the idea.
"I dug holes there with you dad when he was a kid, a little younger than you." I say before I can stop myself.
"A lot younger." He says.
"You saw the pics?"
"Yeah, Gramps."
"We had a good time, your Dad and me. With his cousins."
The wall trills.
"Yeah?" I say.
"So you do answer!" says my grandson, with a cross look on his face. He throws his cards down.
"What? Nevermind! Its Van Dyke." I talk quickly in 'coded oldster' language to Van Dyke, for about 15 seconds. Van Dyke gets it. I hang up.
My grandson looks at me suspiciously like I'm planning illegal things, like looking at porno or drinking alcohol. As if!
He takes advantage of the situation.
"Gramps! Stop driving Mom and Dad nuts with the not answering."
"Ok, kid. Ok."
The Servicer lands, it isn't making any more noise.
"I can take you to Bodega bay."
"Oh, really?" I feign forgetfully.
"Gramps -- you crack me up. I can go next week."
My grandson -- he's smart as a whip.
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Rengszal Retirement Village
formerly Palo Alto, CA
August, 2055
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