"Quit playing that piano Pookie! I'm reading the newspaper." Flipping another page, Phil was sitting in the kitchen eating his warm pancakes muttering to himself. "Stupid piano. I don't care if I bought it for her birthday, hmm," taking another bite, "she shouldn't be playing it this early in the morning! She might as well play the one on the roof." Sure he loved his wife, with all of his heart. But there were times when he just couldn't understand her. He pounded his right fist on the table, which almost fell over. But fortunately he stood up, letting the paper drop to the floor as he caught it from under his hands. He leaned over and moved it so that it wouldn't do it again. Turning around he found his chair and let it squeak as he brought it over to the table.
Once he sat, he realized something was missing. "Let's see I have my pancakes, coffee, messed up table, oh yeah; my beloved paper." He picked up what he was reading, hoping that all of the distractions would stop. Scratching the back of his head, he skimmed over the really small text. All he could really read was the titles and hoped for the best that he would understand. Anyway, it seemed that there was peace as it sounded that Pookie had stopped playing Home on the Range. He picked up the cup and sipped his coffee. He sighed in relief; nothing better in the morning than silence.
"Eat up Tex for the cattle drive today!"
Her yell surprised him so much that he spit his drink right on his newspaper. Glaring up at her as she walked into the room with her white cowgirl hat on with the green strip, she carried in the stupid triangle along with it. "Pookie! Don't do that, you'll wake up Oskar with all of that shouting and I won't have any more of my breakfast." She looked over to him, set her instrument down, and went to pat Phil's head. "Oh Slim, I wouldn't worry about that poor billy goat. If anything goes wrong, I'll throw him out of our ranch house and into the barn to chew on the grass!"
He leaned into her hug and smiled, touching her hand that rested on his shoulder. "Ah, that's my Pookie." Letting go, she walked over to the counter and brought over a stack of the same pancakes for his favorite grandson Arnold. "In speaking of which, where is the boy?" He glanced at the door only to see Arnold walk in, a little nervous apparently. He wasn't really looking at either one of his grandparents. All he did was stare at a crinkled paper in hands. Phil raised an eyebrow as he rung out the newspaper on top of his breakfast not feeling like eating it anymore.
"What's that you got there shortman? A permission slip you need me to sign for a field trip some place?" Grandpa asked happily. He hoped that would help the boy at least smile. Unfortunately, Arnold went to sit in the chair across from him, and slid the paper over to him. "Not, not exactly. I do want you to look at it though because it's important. Grandma, could you also sit down? I, I think the both of you should know about this." He folded his hands and set them on the table.
Phil and Gertie stared at Arnold, and then at each other. What could be wrong? And why was Arnold stuttering? His wife set down the frying pan that she had been working with at the stove and sat down beside him. Well, anyhow, he picked up the paper and read down the list. "Egypt, that's nice. France, well that's just filled with snails. San Lorenzo that's, what?" He lifted his eyes to see that his grandson had his arms crossed as he stared at the table. This wasn't good, that was for sure. He had to be careful around Arnold because he knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"San Lorenzo, eh?" he handed the sheet over to Pookie as he forced himself to sound alright. "What a surprise Shortman. But Arnold, can I ask you something?" Looking at the boy, Phil could see that his hands turned to fists as his wife scooted her chair over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You probably are wondering what this is about?" Arnold lifted his head and turned to him and reached for Gertie's hand. What caught Phil off guard was how his grandson sounded.
He sounded as if he wasn't just nervous, but excited too. And this confused him. Normally Arnold, especially over the past few days since they found his son's journal, was very sad. It was mainly because it was just that even though he had found a map, they just didn't have the funds to go and suddenly leave the country.
But Arnold smiled a little. Grandpa sighed in relief a bit too. But the boy had to tell them what was going on because anything involving San Lorenzo meant a lot.
"First of all, I'm sorry. You guys, you know I love you both, but I already told Gerald and Mr. Huynh the story. I know I should have come to you guys earlier. But I was so excited that I couldn't help myself. You see, yesterday as you guys know was my birthday. And I appreciate how you both have understood me and helped me over the years. So I hope you can understand after I explain." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The boy's fists just kept on opening and closing, opening and closing. And Pookie kept her hold on him.
Phil pushed his plate aside and leaned over to pat his other hand. "You can explain as much as you need to Shortman. You know your grandma and I are here to listen." Luckily Arnold has opened his eyes and looked back at him.
"Thanks Grandpa. Anyhow, when I was at school yesterday we had a woman come into our classroom after lunch. She had this Spanish accent and was very nice. She told us about this essay contest that we as a class are required to do and turn in. It's about our favorite discovery and if one of us wins, well," he turned around to his grandma for a moment. He looked unsure, as if he was going to upset them. He also gulped. "Well, uh, the entire class wins a free trip. But the student who wins gets to choose the country on the list."
Phil knew where this was going. It wasn't like what Arnold was suggesting was a bad thing; not at all. He'd get to see another country just like he had when he was a private in the army during World War II, learn about a new culture. And possibly find some information about his son and daughter-in-law from the locals. "But with that map, I don't know."
"And I was thinking that, and I know that it is a very small chance, but if I win the contest, then I might have the chance to go to San Lorenzo." Then he suddenly sat up, and got out of his chair. Gertie had to let go of him with a frown. It was just as hard on her too. Miles was her son. In a way, Phil supposed that because they had raised him, it was like Arnold was more than their grandson. He was in a way another son to them. And having him tell this was hard on the both of them.
He walked around to his grandfather. The boy had such sad eyes that it hurt Phil to even see a tear slip out. "You know how important this is to me, to all of us. And if I could just have you guys being alright with this, I'll be happy." Well, just like he said, it meant a lot to him. And the man couldn't complain. He remembered that same look on Arnold's face when he saw Miles and Stella leave. "He was holding a toy plane that day. And if he wins, then he'll be on a real one instead."
Phil leaned over in his chair while he faced down at his only grandson. This decision, even if it was a classroom assignment, was a piece that the boy needed. "Oh, Arnold, listen to me very carefully," watching him flinch back. It was almost as if he was going to tell him not to go or choose another country.
"Your grandma and I have loved you ever since your father told us about you when he was all the way in San Lorenzo with your mother. Heck, we loved you so much that Pookie went up to the roof and started to set up the blue and pink fireworks! Because, you know, we weren't sure if you were going to be a boy or girl at the time." He ruffled Arnold's hair as he laughed for the first time that morning. "And when we all saw you for the first time, you were so handsome! Even as a baby you were," Phil reached for the boy's hand. Arnold stared at him.
"But you see, a part of me will always feel bad for what happened to your mom and dad. You remind me so much of your father when he was your age. Oh I remember playing ball with him in the park and how he would help Mrs. Vitello in the flower shop," He smiled at the memories.
"Did you know he was even friends with Harvey as a kid? Of course Harvey was a little older, but they still got along. Just like Gerald is to you," then he whispered, "Just don't tell him that though ok? We don't need him scared that he won't be a business man or something right?" His grandson laughed at that. "Yeah sure Grandpa. I won't tell him. Although I don't think he'll mind that much. He likes Harvey. So I'm sure that he'd be fine."
Somehow, Phil wanted to give him a strong hug. But he understood that he wasn't anywhere finished with his point. "But you see, Arnold, in a very strong way you are so different from him." Watching the boy raise an eyebrow, the man saw that he was going to ask why. "And I say this because when I say a kid, I meant it. And I know you're only ten years old now, but you haven't really been a kid at all." Arnold tugged on his hand more. "What do you mean Grandpa? Of course I'm a kid. I go to school; I play baseball with my friends. How are those things related to not being a kid?" He asked in confusion. Phil sighed as he held on tighter and looked directly in the eye with him.
"I'm not saying that those things aren't related to being a kid because that's as simple as it should be. But it isn't. Arnold, you are more of an adult to us, to other adults, and to your own friends and even strangers than we are to you! You have accomplished so much and we are so proud of you for all of the things you have done."
Pookie suddenly appeared beside him and gave her husband a pat on his shoulder. "Yes Arnold. Like I told you, you're a pip," and she smiled, "and that's never going to change. But your grandfather is right. You have done so much for us whether or not you see it. You should be more of a kid than anything else! And I think what you need to do is-" But Phil cut in.
"What we think you need to is go down there if you win. You have been the best grandson any man or woman could ask for. You can handle yourself, especially since you would have your friends and teachers to help you. And most importantly, if you ever find any more answers at least you will feel better hopefully." He pulled Arnold in for a hug. He wrapped his arms around the poor boy. If anyone could write an essay about a favorite discovery, Arnold could. And this was especially true now that he had the story about the journal. "In speaking of which," Grandpa started.
The boy still had his arms gripping onto his as he pulled back, smiling. Heck, he was grinning ear to ear! "What is it Grandpa?"
For some reason, even though it was probably a long way from it possibly happening, Phil could see his grandson getting on that plane. "Well, Arnold. I want you to promise me something. Please don't use the map or the journal at all ok? I know it means a lot to you right now but I need you to not take it with you. We don't want you to get lost in the jungle along with everyone else. You can ask the locals or other sources if you want about any questions you may have. But no going off into a dangerous place alright?"
Phil waited patiently as he watched Arnold's face slowly frown a bit. He didn't want to say this to Arnold. But being in the jungle was like being at war. It was dangerous at every turn, and that made him more worried for the boy's sake.
Arnold reluctantly nodded his head. "Yes Grandpa I promise you that I won't going into the jungle. I mean, why would I want to cause anyone to be hurt in case of an emergency and we had no help? That would be crazy. But thank you both for understanding." He pulled out of his grandfather's arms with a smile. Then he went around him as Gertie removed her hand from the man's shoulder as she gave Arnold a loving hug.
As the boy returned it with a nice smile again, he asked, "Hey Grandma, can I have some pancakes now? I'm kind of starving."
"Sure thing Arnold. I mean Tex." Gertie winked at him as Phil once again smiled. It seemed like a nice, and finally peaceful, family moment. He sighed in relief again as Arnold went to sit across from him to eat. And, well, he lifted his old body out of the chair to stretch and to get around throwing out his breakfast. Except, however, there was only one problem.
"Hey Grandpa, can I have some of your breakfast?"
"Beat it Oskar! Pookie, I think the billy goat needs his grass!"