The Weight of Things
Every Friday, she’s on time to pick up her grandfather, who teases, “Punctuality is your best quality.” She could take his list, go alone, but this, it’s theirs.
She pushes as he walks alongside, pointing his finger and triggering his thumb to greet fellow shoppers whose names he no longer knows. He likes to look at the weight of things, occasionally exclaiming, “You were exactly this size at birth!” This he remembers.
Aisle after aisle, he calls out needs in their shorthand: “Old-man candies” is Werther’s; “yellow box,” Cheerios. And while “lamb-chop” is ricotta, “my little frozen chicken” is her.
Photo Credit: Katya Horner
Great story! Encapsulates so much in so few words. I come away feeling as if I have a strong sense of these characters and their relationship. Beautifully done.
Good story. Has that nice twist of the best 100 word stories, and feels real.
This is so beautiful! I love the way the unavoidable sadness is balanced by the joy of their relationship.
Nice story, says a lot in a short space.
I love how you captured the relationship in this shopping trip. Beautiful.
She wrote in an emotional way-I like this passage.
Great dialogue and pace. I really enjoyed this piece!
I love the way the grandfather-granddaughter relationship is shown here, especially their common and secret vocabulary. Very well done.