Suzie’s House 393 : Walter

“He knew.” Walter nodded to himself. “Right from the beginning, he knew.”

It happened fifty years ago, but Walter couldn’t seem to make himself let it go. Of all the things he and Martin did together, signing up to serve in Viet Nam was probably the dumbest. Venomous snakes, devious enemies, and friends who turned on you filled the place.

“Who knew what?” Ned’s eyes were focused on the foot traffic on the hard, gray sidewalk. His grip on Walter’s arm hurt a little, but wasn’t rough. Nothing like Viet Nam.

“Oh, no. Sorry, Kiddo. I was thinking about something from years ago.” Walter offered up a smile.

“Years ago?” The got Ned’s full attention.

“Most of my life happened years ago.” Walter smiled a little more. It was one of those statements that didn’t look like much but wrapped up a lot.

“I’m just glad you’re here now.” Ned gave his arm a squeeze.

“You don’t have to hold on so hard. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I never know,” Ned muttered. “The car is parked in the King Street ramp. This way.”

“Are we going somewhere?” Walter glanced around with interest. He couldn’t remember how he came to be on the capital square, let alone there with his grandson.

That didn’t matter. He already knew his brain was Swiss cheese. He even remembered the doctor telling him it was Alzheimer’s. Loosing bits and pieces of himself was to be expected. If only he could lose Martin.

“Hey, Ned, my boy. Where are we going?” If Ned had already answered the question, Walter couldn’t remember.

“There’s someone I want you to meet.” Ned guided Walter into a parking garage.

“Is this someone far away?”

“No. Just out on Speight Street.”

The change from sunlight to shadow messed with Walter’s eyes. He managed a yard or two nearly blind, but couldn’t remember enough about this particular parking garage to get any further than that, and stopped.

“Grandpa?” Ned frowned at him. “Grandpa? You there?”

“Where else would I be?” Walter took a step as if to lead the way. He raised a fist and said, “To the car! By the way, where is the car?”

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