Grandpa Asked

I was alone at home yesterday when the doorbell rang, and was surprised to see my grandfather standing on the front porch.

I was surprised because he’s dead.

“I have some things to ask you, Kevin,” he said.

“C’mon in, Grandpa,” I said.

He took a seat on the living room couch.

“So, I hear your son Andrew is playing baseball,” Grandpa said. “How old is he now?”

“He’s seven,” I answered.

“How’s he doin’ in baseball?” Grandpa asked.

“He wasn’t very good at first but he’s comin’ around,” I said. “He’s catching the ball much better and he’s finally starting to hit. He mostly hits dribblers but in his last game, he slammed a line drive over the third baseman’s head for a solid double. It was the first time he’s ever ripped the ball, and he was beaming with joy.”

“You, yourself, were smiling while you were telling me that,” Grandpa said.

“Oh, I was a happy dad just seeing how happy Andrew was,” I said. “Honestly, I was happier for Andrew at that moment than at any time when I was playing baseball, and I had some great times playing ball.”

Then Grandpa changed the subject.

“So, I hear you wrote a book?” he asked.

“Yes, it was an undertaking but I enjoyed it,” I said.

“What if it sells?” he asked. “Say you become a published author and you end up writing six or seven books. That’ll probably make you some money, but what would you do with that money?”

“Y’know, my friend Marcus and I were talking at work a couple weeks ago about that exact subject, and we both said that if we each somehow land in a pile of money someday, we’d both give most of it away to hopefully make a difference in this world,” I answered.

“What specifically would you do with your money?” Grandpa asked.

“I’d donate much of it to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Hospital, to help kids who have been given a rough start in life,” I answered.

Suddenly, Grandpa got up from the couch and walked to the front door.

“Where ya goin’?” I asked.

“I have other people to see,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure you’re doin’ alright. I think you are.”