Flowers.

Lots of them.

Lilles.

Roses.

Daisies.

Wilting as the frost sets in.

My steps are heavy and slow.

The sun beams down on me as the chilled wind ruffles my windbreaker. I can see my breath shimmer in the morning light as it’s expelled from my body.

At least it’s not _my_ last.

Stones.

A mother

A father

A daughter

A sister

A son

A brother

A lover

A baby

A grandmother

A grandfather.

I sit.

The bench is cold but inviting.

A phone stand rests in front of words etched into finality.

A breath in, a breath out.

I pick it up and dial.

**_Ring

Ring

Ri—

“Hello, this is Grey.”

_**His voice is far away then gets clearer as the call connects more fully. **_

_**His voice sounds nothing like how I’d imagined yet somehow exactly how I’d imagined it.

“Hey grandpa. It’s me.”

Tears saturate my voice and emotion makes my speech thick.

**_“Why of course it is, you’ve grown. It’s nice to finally speak with you.”

_******

****

“How are you?” I ask because I’m not sure how to start.

His laugh is warm and sounds just like dads. But fuller and a different kind of vibrant.

I stare at the dates on the headstone as he responds.

“**_I’m good. I’m good. The real question is, how are you?”

“_**Well, to be honest Grandpa Grey, I’m not sure,”

he waits for me.

“I know we never met, but I miss you.”

His voice is gentle.

**_“My child, I’ve been with you. You just haven’t seen me much. You’ve done great things kiddo. I’m proud of you.”

_**I nod when the words seem stuck. Hot tears spill and warm my icy skin.

“Tell me. Am I anything like you?”

A smile I’ve never truly witnessed brightens the connection through the phone.

**_“Where do you think you got those shredding skills from? Your dad? No my child. That would be from me. That guitar you started with, that was mine.”

_**“They said you could’ve played with The Beach Boys.” **_

“If I were a less humble man I’d say I could’ve.”

_**“Tell me more.”

**_

“Your eldest brother got most of my looks but you have some. Your eyes. Those were mine too once upon a time.” _**

A deeper appreciation for my glistening eyes floods my mind as I ponder at the man who gave them to me.

“Do you think we would’ve been close? Would you have taught me how to play with the same passion those who knew you in life said you did?”

**_“Yes child, I think so. I believe I would’ve taught you everything I knew and watch as you taught me a thing or two. A teacher is only as good as how much he can learn from his students. Of course, I know you already know this.”_**

I smile, but it grows sad as I know my time running out.

“Will you be here if I ever get to call back?”

“**_Of course child.” _**A chuckle**_. “I’ve not much place else to go.”

_**“Will you tell me more about yourself? About dad?”

“**_I’d love to. And to get to know you better as well.” _**

Parting feels like letting go and my grip is tight on the phone at the prospect of losing what I’d never really lost to begin with weighs heavily on my heart.

**_

_**“Promise?”

**_“I promise.”

_**My crooked smile is watery as I sit with the farewell.**_

_**“Goodbye, Grandpa Grey.”

**_“Goodbye, my dear smith child. Until next time. And remember,

_**His voice drifts farther away. **_

I’m only a phone call away.”

_**I wipe the salt from my eyes as the line goes dead.

Hanging it back up on the stand I rise from the bench

And walk back down the paths of fallen friends and family

finally I re-exit the cemetery, my steps light with familiar

Guitar riffs playing through my mind.

**_

_**