The Song He Remembers

Journal

Grandpa forgets my name some days. This was one of those mornings.

But put on the oldies station and he knows every word. Every single one.

Grandma June. They met at a VFW dance in 1963. She's been gone two winters. He still sets out two mugs every morning.

October. Neurology follow-up. He talked about Grandma the whole time, like she was just parking the car.

Good days feel stolen now. So I film all of them.

November 19. He woke up at 2 a.m. looking for her. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say the true thing.

Thanksgiving. I found their song on an old record in the basement. I didn't tell anyone. I just put it on.

Halfway through the song he said my name. Twice. My mom had to take the phone because I couldn't hold it anymore.

He still sets out two mugs. This morning I sat in the other chair.