I loaded my last suitcase into the boot of the car then walked back into the house where my mum was pulling her suitcases down the stairs. I walked through to the kitchen where my Granddad was making us all a cup of tea,
‘Hey Grumpy,’ I said using the pet name I made up when I was two years old.
‘Oh hello dear,’ he replied with a sigh.
‘Are you okay, grumps?’ I asked, already knowing the answer.
‘Yeah, I’m just going to miss you and your mum so much, but I understand why you have to go. The job opportunity for your mum is just too good to pass up.’
‘I’m sorry Grumpy, you could come with us though, there’s still time,’ I replied
‘My life is here sweetheart, I met your grandma here, and even though she isn’t with us all the memories remain. And I’m not getting any younger, it will be hard to be uprooted at my age.’ Grumpy says ‘ You’ll be fine though of course, you always have made friends easily’ he adds as an afterthought.
As the only male role model I have had in my life, I’m really going to miss my Grumpy but the new job for my Mum will really help with things as we have been struggling with money recently.
‘Okay, are you ready to go guys, we need to get to the airport pretty soon?’ My Mum asked walking in to the kitchen.
‘Yeah’ I replied half-heartedly, when my mum asked if I wanted to move to America I jumped at the chance. However, now the moving day is here I realize what I am moving away from and all I am going to miss.
‘Are all you bags and suitcases in the car?’ asked grumpy. ‘Yes, dad’ replied my mum ‘and the boxes you need to send are left in my room upstairs.’
‘Okay, lets get going then’ Grumpy said, and we all walked out to the car and got in.
When we got to the airport Grumpy took us to the check-in desk and waited as we loaded our luggage onto the conveyor belt. Once my stuff was on I turned and gave him the biggest hug I could manage.
‘I’m going to miss you so much Grumpy’ I stated.
‘I know sweetie but I’ll come and visit a lot and we can call and Skype.’ He replied with tears in his eyes.
Grumpy let go of me and turned to my Mum and cradled her in his arms as tears rolled down her face.
‘You’ll be fine Jenny, this new job is going to take off and everything will be incredible, don’t you worry.’ Grumpy said.
‘I’m not worried about the job Dad,’ Mum replied, ‘ I’m worried about you, you know you are welcome at any time and if you want to there will be space in our house so you can come over to stay.’
‘I know Jenny, but you know why I must stay here.’ Grumpy replied,
‘I know Dad, we better get going and find the gate, I love you okay?’ Mum said, going to walk through the gate.
“Bye Grumpy,’ I said giving him a last hug before following my mum through the gate, but I glanced back to catch him wiping the tears away from his eyes.
