Chapter 3-009

Then that night, right before dinner, mygrandfather summoned me into the front room. He didn't call to me as I waswalking by — that would have bordered onfriendliness. What he did was talk to my mother, who talked to me. “I don'tknow what it's about, honey,” she said. “Maybe he's just ready to get to knowyou a little better.” Great. The man's had a year and a half to get acquainted,and he chooses now to get to know me. But I couldn't exactly blow him off. Mygrandfather's a big man with a meaty nose and greased-back salt-and-pepperhair. He lives in house slippers and a sports coat, and I've never seen a whisker on him. They grow, but he shaves them off like three times a day. It's a realrecreational activity for him. Besides his meaty nose,he's also got big meaty hands. I suppose you'd notice his hands regardless, butwhat makes you realize just how beefy they areis his wedding ring. That thing's never going to comeoff, and even though my mother says that's how it should be, I think heought to get it cut off. Another few pounds and that ring's going to amputatehis finger.