The Photo Album
As Dictated by Levi Read
an oral report for third grade
Francine was my wife. We'd been married fifty years when she was diagnosed with dementia. I did my best to keep her happy, to maintain the strong relationship we'd had for so long. But she ended up in a nursing home, and on our fifty-sixth wedding anniversary, she passed away.
I knew our grandchild would want to know more about her. She'd been sick through all of their lives, gone from her feisty personality. They never got to know her, and truly, these photographs do no justice. The stories beyond them show her true nature, but it's hard to tell those stories. I'll try, but…it's hard. Bear with me, son.
That one is from high school. Fern and Francine—Fern is one of our childhood friends—were on a science project together. Fern decided on frogs, so there your do. Your grandmother has a small frog down the back of her shirt. She looks angry, but they forgave each other when they took third place at the district science fair.
Ah, college. That's Francine and me having one last sundae at the Sugar Bowl. It closed down when the mall expanded, and this place was never the same after that. We were engaged at the time and Francine was planning our wedding. She wanted them to cater so we could have an ice cream social instead of a wedding reception, but it was too late. My father catered instead. He accidentally served pork and infuriated Francine's family, but they forgave him when he did a traditional Hanukkah feast a few years later. Your father was just a baby then. Our families were good friends so he never knew we had our problems.
This is your father's wedding. I was having surgery when it happened, so your mother acted in my place. Your mother's father passed away, so I was supposed to give her away, or walk her down the aisle. Francine did it instead, and she was never happier.
This was our twentieth reunion for high school. Francine was the most beautiful woman there. This was one of our happiet times together, not long after our last child was born. A few years later, we went to the Grand Canyon, but that was the last family trip we took together. We never left Elwood City again…
Our last anniversary picture. Your grandmother was so beautiful. Her eyes were so alive. I can't go on, Levi. I'm sorry.
This is my dedication of my grandfather going through my mom's scrapbook. Arthur Read, age 81, still lives in Elwood City. He hopes you all enjoy third grade like he did, and he wants us to remember our best friends from elementary school. That's how he met his wife, Francine, and he hopes this is how we meet our soul mates too. Thank you.
~End
Theme 032: A Photograph
I completed this one-shot as part of a theme challenge I'm doing with TheUltimateCombo. I've since finished the themes, but feel free to join us. PM me for more info.
I guess this is a drabble-style one-shot. I hope no one got confused:) I don't plan on writing another piece like this but you never know. Thanks for reading.