She waited for the screen door to slam but heard two voices instead; one was Jacob
but who could the other little boy be? And then came the slam and in dashed Jacob ...
and the other little boy kinda just shuffled along behind.

"Grandma! I brought my friend, Matt. He stayed at our place last night!"

Matt was standing, twisting his hair, tapping one foot and looking very ill at ease.
Grandma knelt down and extended her hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Matt.
I'm so glad you're Jacob's friend!"

Releasing his hand from the hair twist and raising his chin ever so slightly, Matt mumbled, "Hi, thanks."

Leaning on Grandma's shoulder, Jacob softly said, "Matt's daddy was killed in the war.
His mommy had to work extra hours so that's why he's with me and Mom;
she doesn't have money for daycare or babysitters."

Reaching and grasping Matt's other hand and taking both in her own, Grandma said,
"Oh my! You and your mommy must be very sad."

Matt nodded yes ever so slightly. "Daddy was a Marine.
They kilt him with a car bomb. I'll never see him again."

Grandma didn't attempt to hold back her tears.
"But he's watching over you from heaven now, Matt."

"That's what mommy says but she cries, too."

Jacob put his arm around Matt. "He's very, very sad, Grandma.
Can you help him like you help me?"



"Well, let's see what we can do, guys! For starters is anyone ready for a peanut butter dip?"
She slowly got up and stretched and made her way to the counter where a huge jar of the yummy stuff rested.

"Oh, Matt .... this is fun .... we dip all kinds of stuff. I'll get the paper plates Grandma!"

One huge dollop went onto the plates. Grandma was rummaging through the fridge
and brought out apple slices and said, "OK, ready, set dip!"
Both boys grabbed a slice and soon there were peanut butter mustaches on both
and then Grandma got out the celery and carrot sticks. "Let's dip again, guys!"
A few minutes later, "Hmmm, we still have some left .... time for fingers!"

Needless to say it was time for hand washing.
"Jacob, take Matt into the bathroom wash up and then show him the bunk beds, OK?"

"OK! C'mon, Matt!"

Grandma cleaned up at the kitchen sink and pondered. She talked out loud to herself,
"Well, he can stay here as long as need be since I kept the bunk beds.
Now what about his mommy. Gotta find out where she works and what she does!"

The boys returned all spiffy clean.

"Maybe you and Jacob could tell me about your mommy, Matt.
She must have to work hard and I'll bet she worries about you.
What's her name, honey?"

"She works in a diner, Grandma,
where they have pancakes all day and all night long
and ya can have all the syrup ya want and stuff!"



"Wow! That's sounds good to me. What time does your mommy work there, Matt?"
"Different times. Mostly during the day so she can be home with me
but she got called in. Daddy called her his darlin' Joyce. I just call her mommy."

"My that's a lovely name, Matt. It has Joy built right in it!"

"I thought Joy was for dishes!" said Jacob.

A slow giggle came out of Matt and Grandma clapped her hands
and laughed her very big laugh and soon all three were
giggling like little boys and Grandmas should.

When she got her breath Grandma put an arm around each of the boys.
"I've got an idea! We'll surprise your mommy, Matt.
We're gonna go to the diner just before her shift is ended .... what? .... at five?
OK. We'll go at 4:30 and we'll have a parade!"



"Wow, awesome!"
Matt echoed, "Wow!"

"OK you two go shoot some hoops while get things ready
but if that ball goes into the street, you call for me, hear?"
Slam went that screen door.

Grandma found a past New Year's horn and some party hats.
She got out a big plastic bowl and a wooden spoon.
The small American Flag came out of the front porch planter.
She called her daughter and got directions to the diner.
She told her daughter the plans she was hatching and that was met with,
"Oh, Mom, only you could pull that off. Give it all you've got and AOK on my old bedroom!"

The boys were coming back in. "Are we really gonna have a parade?"
"Oh, we sure are Jacob! Now who wants to blow the horn and who wants to beat the drum?
Wait, we'll coin toss! All right. Matt you blow the horn and Jacob you beat the bowl .... er, drum!"

"What are you gonna do .... gee, I don't know what to call you?" queried Matt.
"Just call me Grandma, honey. And I've got the Flag and I'm gonna sing!"

At 4:30 on the dot, the parade formed and marched into the diner.
Grandma announced, "We're having a parade for Matt's dad,
a brave Marine who gave all. OK, guys, march!"
The horn tooted, the drum banged and Grandma waving her flag
and singing "God Bless America" brought on the rear.
So she wasn't Kate Smith.
But all in the diner got off the counter stools and left the booths and stood up and applauded.
Matt and Jacob beamed! Matt's mommy, Joyce, was using a napkin to dab the tears.



"Say thanks to everyone, guys."
They did with enthusiasm.
"You know, I could eat some of those pancakes!"
Before you could say syrup, the paraders were on the stools
and the counter was soon covered with sticky.
Grandma motioned for Joyce to come closer. "My daughter told me your only family lives very far away.
Matt calls me Grandma.
I have bunk beds for the boys and my daughter says you are very welcome to her old bedroom in my house.
How about your coming home with me and we'll be family.
Hang up the apron, Joyce. You can do better and I'll help."

Joyce's lower lip began trembling and she managed to say, "But you've only just met us!"
Grandma replied, "You know that Golden Rule?" Joyce nodded affirmatively.
"Well, you'd do the same for me! Besides I'm talking way too much to myself these days!
We both need someone to talk to and be with, honey. Deal?"
Two hands across the counter ... which stuck the deal with syrup.

Later that night, when the new combined family had all been tucked in,
Grandma snuggled under her cover and turning her head to the open window, saw a very bright star shining.

"Semper fi, God."


© Connie Good
June 16, 2005

"Semper Fidelis".
The Motto of the United States Marine Corps.
Latin for always faithful.
Faithful to God, Country, Family and the Corps.
Dedicated to all who serve and have served
to keep little boys and girls and Grandmas free.

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