Episode 1. Grampa Ralph

Grampa Ralph makes regular visits to see four year old Robert and his mother. Grampa is a little wild and crazy, but full of personality.

As a little boy, Robert was always happy to see his Grampa Ralph. Ralph was Robert's last living grandparent, and Ralph would regularly make the tour visiting all seven of his kids' families. Since grandpa had finally retired from Land O Lakes, and was now over 70, he had time during the weekdays to visit family.   

At this time of 1970, Ralph had been a widower for over 25 years.  His dear wife Lucy had died of ovarian cancer in 1943. Ralph never remarried. When asked, he would respond by explaining simply, "I married a beautiful, wonderful friend.  Why settle?"

Over the ensuing years Ralph developed a fondness for brandy.   Robert was too young to notice, but in later years he was told by family that grampa was a 'happy drunk', not a mean one as many others are. He always treated his grandkids well and would present them with presents. Sometimes grampa would make the adults a little uncomfortable with his antics but his grandkids adored him.

Robert knew that when grampa came for a visit, 1) dad would be at work, and 2) mom would serve coffee and cookies. Grampa Ralph and dad didn't get along. There always seemed to be an unexplained tension and a lack of eye contact between them, but Robert loved both men dearly.  

When grampa came to visit he would ask Robert about his bike riding prowess, and whether Robert had any girlfriends. Robert would spend most of these times smiling, trying to keep up with grampas jokes, and gleefully eating chocolate chip cookies.  

Robert was fond of grampa Ralph because he would often always say things that made mom just a little nervous. Then grampa would laugh from his belly and he would give Robert a side hug.

Robert also liked that grampa Ralph would occasionally 'kidnap' him and take him on a guys only trip to McDonald's. There they would order an entire tray of french fries and see how many ketchup packets they could go through.   

Maybe the best feature of these visits with grampa was the fact that Roberts' three older sisters, and older brother would generally be at school when grampa visited. Robert's younger brother Chris was too young to get much out of the trips to McDonald's.

One time when grampa visited he mentioned with a glint in his eye that he was going on vacation the next week.  "Where to grampa?"   

"I'm going west young man!" Gramps said rather dramatically.  "I wish you could come along. We could do manly things in a manly way! "

Robert learned that Grampa was going to Montana to spend time with his other daughter MaryAnn.  MaryAnn, and her husband John, had a working ranch with a guest house where grampa would be staying for the summer.

It was quite a while later that Robert was finally told that grampa had died of a heart attack while staying with Mary Ann in Montana.

The rest of the family didn’t seem to know how to tell Robert, and Robert didn't know how to take this news so he wouldn’t  talk about it.  Years later Robert tearfully asked his mother, "Why didn't you ever tell me Grampa was sick, or that he had had heart problems? You had just told me he went on vacation!"    

Robert's mother answered him honestly. "Honey, he wasn't sick that we ever knew about. This is my father that we are talking about. I loved him. Grampa died suddenly while staying out there in Montana. He died on vacation. It was a shock to all of us."

Robert could only just sob at this news. "I wish he hadn't ever gone on vacation!"  

Reviews

[Fictional Fabricator]

This is a special touching story. I never really knew my grandparents either so no love lost 🙄
But I loved reading about their special trips just them two. Wished you'd given a couple more examples of the jokes gramps would make. But I like this beginning.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled you read and liked it. 😊

[Myra Fellows]

Frankie,
I feel the writing doesn't capture Robert.
May I suggest re-writing this chapter into the first person?
I think it will make a big impact.

[Ballpark Frank]

So sorry I just noticed this review. Yikes. I never saw it until now. Actually I've rewritten this episode from last year. I hope it's better.

[Unforgiven II]

Omg, so sad and touching. Whenever I was a child and someone died, I was told they went to heaven, and I would see them again someday. Kind of ironic that the person who told me this (my mom) can be one of the WORST at dealing with death of anyone I've known...

This is a very moving beginning. I went into it not expecting to be made to feel something, but that's what happened. Definitely a sign of good writing. :)

[Ballpark Frank]

I'm so glad! I love this book so far. It's close to my heart although its fiction.

[Suzanne Sonderleigh]

I love when people can write such innocence in children. We believe our world will always be as idyllic as it was when we were young. This story made my heart hurt for Robert. Good write!

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you Suzanne. I'm pleased you took the time. This chapter is one of several that will set th6e stage for events later on in Roberts life.

[Suzanne Sonderleigh]

Sounds great! I will keep reading.

[Jennifer]

This is really sweet. I had a grandpa Ralph. The flow on this isn't smooth, but it is very crystal clear and holds my attention. This is good.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you so much. I appreciate the feedback.

[Azifwecare]

Poor gramps. How it must've crushed poor Robert. They seemed to have such a strong bond. Loved this chapter.

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you dear. I had hoped for that feeling

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Loved this
I lived with my grandfather in his house with my large family mum dad me and four siblings
I was very close to him
I never knew my other grandparents his wife died when I was under one the other two had passed on
I had a very close bond with him
ThAnkyou for your story I’ll read more
Love it 😍

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you! Losing a grandparent can be traumatic. Too many kids need them bad. I know I did. It's sad

[Chris Shaw]

Grandparents can play such a special. part in the lives of their grandchildren. I was very fortunate and had a close relationship with all four of mine who lived four doors apart. Robert only had one surviving granddad, so Ralph was very special to him. I like the fact that he has nice memories to look back on. Losing a grandparent at such a young age is tough. First loss probably. I very much enjoyed this first chapter Frankie. Thank you.

Chris

[Ballpark Frank]

Thank you from my heart Chris. This is a kind and thoughtful review. Grandparents are so special aren't they?

[Chris Shaw]

They are indeed. I am just about to review another post of yours.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

This is a great beginning--very well written and on, what is for me, at least, an interesting subject. I never knew either of my grampas, but Ralph sounds like he was perfect. I look forward to any future chapters.

[Ballpark Frank]

I am honored Sam. Thank you. I will write much more on Robert. This is a book very much in my mind. I just hope I don't screw it up.