Whoo! Grandpa is HARD to write as, for me at least. Enjoy the story, but first…
Shout out to Lyco-Rogue, for making the document Timeline: The Life of Grandpa Phil. I used it to help out with this story/challenge/drabble, whatever you call it. I once again bow to your greatness, and thanks for unintentionally helping me out. :)
Challenge 3: Fiery Eyes, Fragile Heart
As far as I can remember, I have always had that woman right beside me. When we were kids, she picked on me so much, but it turned out she only did that because she actually liked me. We spent so much time together after she finally let the cat out of the bag, but I never loved her back.
Soon I had to go to war. WWII had begun. I didn't think about her at all, for the chance that I wouldn't ever come back was large. I knew the risk, but I still continued on. I brought victory to the Allies, and after many ceremonies and celebrations that the war was finally over, I was discharged.
I finally was able to return to Hillwood. Gertie and I finally saw each other again, and out of pure instinct, I asked her out to dinner to celebrate my return. Amazingly, she agreed and our date rapidly approached.
She was still the same little girl I had grown up with, the fire in her eyes still blazing with life. We caught up with each other after so long, and then a surprise singer came on stage. He was a young man, but no one knew who he was at the time. To this day I still remember the dance Gertie and I shared as Dino Spumoni sang at the Circle Theater. On that night, we reconnected and once again became inseparable.
The years flew by as I began working, and still Gertie and I grew stronger and stronger with each passing day. I finally worked up the courage to marry her, and she gladly said yes. Our wedding was the best I could remember. She, of course, had already planned the whole thing out and was simply waiting for me to say the word, or words.
Our wedding day was spectacular, and so began our lives together. We ran the boarding house together. The days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and soon months into a few years. Our love still grew and grew until we decided we were ready.
I still remember the day Miles was born, it brought so much joy to our lives to finally have a child. We watched as our son grew up into the man we were proud of, and Gertie spoiled the boy. One would think she finally found the one thing in this world she loved more than me.
When we found out about Stella, Pookie and I were so happy to see our son start a family of his own. Oftentimes, she would speak of being grandparents. I could still see the young girl inside of her, just shaking with anticipation and hope.
Sure enough, she turned out right, and little Arnold was welcomed into our lives. Miles and Stella decided to return to Hillwood, and we welcomed them back with open arms. Gertie and I were so happy, we often couldn't express it, even to each other.
But then, that day came.
Miles and Stella decided to leave to help out the Green Eyed People tribe. Arnold was to stay in our care until they returned. They said that that day would be soon.
That day, Gertie lost that fire. Her heart became so fragile, and I think she began to lose a little of her mind. She changed, to the point that it scared me and I didn't know what to do. However, I knew one thing. The return of our son might be that spark that reignites her. Because I know she misses them so much.
And I miss my Gertie.