Sarah Grissom

Jose Fiallos
LAE 3333
September 23, 2014
Mini Paper 1
When I knocked on the door I didnt know what I was expecting. But it wasnt
this.
A face I once knew peered out, and his eyes met mine. He was older, in his late
seventies, but he had a thick crop of dusty hair, a vivacious smile, and a sparkling glint in
his eyes. In that moment, it struck me that this man, seemed more alive than anyone Id
ever beheld.
It was a strange thought, as I knew him to be dying.
He gave me a loving hug, but the weakness of his arms brought back the pit in the
stomach, the pit that had been there since I heard about his great illness five weeks
before, while I was still in Ecuador.
He ushered me inside, and I looked around at my surroundings. I was standing in
the entryway of a small apartment. It was warmly dim and bright at the same time,
somehow, and the walls were blanketed with maps. Several broad bookcases lined the far
wall, and each was stuffed with books. In the corner was a small table, and on it, my
favorite flowers. Daisies. He saw me looking at them and hustled over to them,
presenting me with the bouquet with a beaming smile on his face. He didnt say a wordhe never did.

My grandfather raised me. My parents were hopeless addicts who fell prey to the
world. My grandfather, on the other hand, always seemed to hear the music of another
world. Even now though I knew he had weeks to live, his joyous face lit up the room.
I hadnt wanted to come. I saw enough death already working as a doctor in rural
Ecuador. Some thing about death- it has a scent, a sort of scent that keeps you in its grips
for far tool long. You could see it in the eyes of those who love the dying ones. When
someone you love dies, a part of you dies too.
I felt like crying, but I looked at him, and gave him the best smile I could. His
eyes widened a little, and his smile softened for me.
Im sorry it took me so long, Grandpa. Im here now.