A Noun

Chapter thriteen: Demise

De•mise
Noun
      2. A cessation of existence or activity.

I never gave back my grandfathers books that I had stolen over the years. He didn't want them back, and was pleased that someone else enjoyed those stories.

It was how I felt about my novel. I felt that I would give my grandfather the only copy for him to enjoy forever.

But I couldn't finish the damn thing. Grandpa wanted a break from it. The end of summer was quickly coming, so he wanted to spend time adventuring with me before it became an ice box outside.

We took the bronco out for a spin. He asked me to drive and told me where he wanted to go.

He wanted to go to his favourite museum, the one he used to work for. We had to drive three hours to get there, but I didn't mind.

Every adventure was worth it.

He and I had looped arms as we slowly walked through the museum he adored.

He showed me each display, naming the Neolithic humans and even telling me different features they had and when they roamed earth.

I hadn't seen him like that in a while. He was so pleased to be out and about, showing me his life's work. He truly was a good grandpa.

After the museum, we picked up ice cream since I felt he needed a treat.

We sat in the parking lot with soft 60s music playing and eating our ice cream from Dairy Queen.

Grandpa was a man of sophistication. He enjoyed his sweater vests, dress shirts and ties. But, he also adored comfort. So of course, he loved vanilla ice cream cones as much as he loved his fuzzy black slippers.

I wiped off the dab of ice cream he had gotten on his nose with a napkin, creating a thank you from him before he continued to enjoy his ice cream.

Simple things such as ice cream, sunshine, novels and museums made Leonard happy.

As we left the parking lot, he looked to me. "How about your Adventurous love comes with us for our picnic?"

I chuckled and blushed. He knew I was in love with Finn before I was even close to telling him.

"He doesn't know that, Grandpa." I told him as I drove, our hair dancing and flapping in the wind.

He chuckled. "That man knows."

"He doesn't, I haven't told him." I explained, defending myself.

"Darling, why is that you haven't told him?" He asked kindly.

I let a breath go. "I'm waiting."

"Waiting for what? Love shouldn't have to wait."

I glanced to the happy old man next to me then back at the road ahead. It wasn't that busy out that day, so most roads were mainly clear.

"I want to make sure he won't leave me."

"That boy likes you more than dinosaurs. He tells me every time we are alone how much he loves your smile and how he plans to buy you more books when he isn't so broke."