The beat up '69 Chevy pulled to a stop in front of a somewhat shabby house with white plastic siding, kicking up the dust that had been resting peacefully underneath the wheels. Dave pulled his backpack onto his lap and sighed as he squinted in the harsh sunlight of dusk.
"George!" his grandmother yelled out the window to an approaching figure who was shielding his eyes from both the sun and the dust. He climbed out, happy to get a chance to walk. Comanche hopped out with him. 'Why does my butt always hurt so much after I've been sitting for a long time?'
His grandma slammed her door shut and scurried over to the other side of the truck to grab a hold of Dave. Tugging on his sleeve she walked with him over to his grandfather.
"George, you remember this kid?!"
Dave smiled as his grandfather shaded his eyes and looked at the man before him. "Can't say that I do..." He looked different. His hair was nearly all gray and pulled back into two braids like his grandmother's. He had more wrinkles that shone in wisdom and his skin was the same color of terra cotta clays.
"Nice to see you too, grandpa." Dave laughed.
"My God... if you ain't the spittin' image of me when I was your age!"
His grandmother swatted him. "Like hell he is! You were never that cute! Look at that smile- that's pure Running Deer!" Dave smiled at the reference to his mother's Lakota name.
His grandfather squinted and leaned forward for a better look. "Well.... I guess it is, isn't it? C'mere you!" He grabbed Dave into a hug. Ah, how he'd missed grandparent hugs. They were one of the best things in the world.
When they pulled back Dave's grandma piped up again. "Look at you two! I told you he'd be taller than you, George!"
"Honey," the elderly man turned to his wife, his voice serious. "You're always right."
She burst out in noisy laughter and swatted him again. "You finally admit it!" It felt good to be in their reassuring company once more. "Well, come on, let's set your stuff inside, I've gotta' start dinner!" She, Dave and his grandpa pulled his stuff out of the back of the truck, Comanche nipping at their heels. His grandma led the way to a guestroom in a compartment near the kitchen. It was actually more of a bed and dresser, since it was in a corner and not fully enclosed on four sides, but it was where Dave had always stayed.
That night they ate a small meal but stayed at the dinner table much longer talking and telling stories.
"Tell him the one about how you fooled that fella' you work with." His grandmother had heard most of his stories that he was now telling on the way there and now prompted him to share them with his grandfather.
Dave chuckled. "All right. I work with this guy named John Carter. Now, he's as wealthy as they come out there but is a pretty nice guy. One time he and I were eating lunch when this new nurse comes in. She just happens to be Hispanic and I can tell that Carter really likes her, so I give him a few 'Spanish pick-up lines' to try out. The next time I saw him that day he had a bloody nose. I told him to call her a skinny whore instead of something nice. I think he's still mad at me for that one..." the three laughed.
"How do you know Spanish?" his grandfather ripped off a piece of bread and nibbled on it.
"I, uh, I went to med. school in Grenada, actually."
"Well, that sounds like a nice place," his grandmother was always supportive.
"It is..."
"Was Grenada your first choice?" his grandfather phrased the question carefully.
"Uh, " he cleared his throat. "Not exactly... but that's pretty much the only place that would accept me..."
"What? You mean someone turned down my grandson?!... How come? You're a smart enough kid."
"That's because grades don't measure intelligence, grandma, they measure effort."
"Well that's something I wouldn't know. I never went to school... not one like yours at least."
"Humph. Consider yourself blessed."
"You didn't want to try to get better grades?" his grandfather was still chewing on his bread.
Dave was getting ancy. "I did try. I gave a lot, but I guess it wasn't enough... I guess I just had too much going on outside of school..."
"Hah! I bet you had girls lined up from here around the block for a chance to see that smile of yours!" his grandmother teased.
Dave blushed. "Not exactly…" he chuckled.
"Well, the important thing is that you made it. You're a doctor. And a damn good one, I'll bet." His grandfather was sincere.
Dave looked down at his grandfather's remark. "I don't know about that..." Comanche began to chew on his shoelaces. "Hey little guy…" he bent down rather painfully and scooped up the little dog who immediately began to squirm.
His grandmother walked over and took the pup from his arms. "You're lucky I like dogs…" she scratched his fluffy head. "But even so, he stays in the garage. I don't want him peeing on my floor."
"Sure… thanks for letting him stay with us. I've gotten too attached to the little guy…"
"No problem… I used to have a yellow lab. Lucky was he name. But your Comanche here is a lot hairier than mine," she grinned as she let the puppy chew on her finger.
"Yah, I think he's half golden retriever."
"Well," his grandfather pushed away from the table. "As interesting as dogs are, I have to go into town early tomorrow morning and should probably hit the sack."
"Ooooh… I better go with you tomorrow. I need to stop by Louise's and Thelma's. Last I heard Louise is sick and Thelma's mother just passed away. You want to come, David? You'll have to wake up at five, like us," she smiled at her obviously all ready drained grandson.
Dave laughed. "No, that's okay… by the time I wake up you'll probably be back all ready."
She laughed again. "Nah. But you just stay put and relax. This is your vacation; I don't want you doing anything. You're welcome to anything in the house." She kissed him on the forehead. "I'll seeya tomorrow, sweetie."
"Good night grandma," he rose and his grandpa gave him a hug.
"Sleep well kiddo."
"You betcha. I've slept in that bed for so many summers… I know it's comfortable." he glanced at his corner where his bed and possessions were.
His grandpa chuckled. "Yep. Well, I'm gonna put the little whippersnapper out. You can bring him in the morning… just make sure he doesn't piss on anything. Your grandmother's very, uh, peculiar about her carpet."
"Don't worry Gramps, I've got it covered."
"'Night Little Shining Eyes!" he heard his grandma call after exiting the hall bathroom. His grandfather trailed down the hall after her.
"Goodnight Morning Bird. 'Night Stone Elk."
"Sweet dreams!"