THE BUTTON BOX story

Colin could hardly wait for the July 1st fireworks later tonight. “Grandpa?” he asked. “Let’s go fishing.” Grandpa smiled while the boy waited for an answer.

Colin enjoyed visiting his Grandparents at their apartment. The veranda they sat on was three-floors higher than the parking lot. Lots to see from here.

Grandpa shook his head. “I’m too tired to go fishing,” he said.

Colin tried not to be disappointed. He watched a yellow goldfinch eat from the bird feeder. A chickadee also joined in the fun. “Let’s play games on grandma’s computer!” he said excitedly.

“I don’t have enough thinking left in me,” said grandpa.

Colin didn’t know what else to suggest.

“Listen,” Grandpa said. “I know a great game for a young fellow. Come inside and I’ll show you.” He held up a bright yellow tin can. Then grandpa removed the lid and emptied the contents. Right in the middle of the rug! “My father showed me these games,” he said. “Now, come here.”

Grandfather and grandson got on their knees. Then ran their hands through a mountain of grandma’s buttons. All colors and sizes! Then Grandpa showed Colin how to play, ‘Twinkies.’

The boy soon caught on. He pressed hard on the edge of a button. And sent it flying into a circle formed by thread. “This is sure different,” thought Colin. Next came, ‘Flick the button closest to the wall.’ Colin didn’t mind when he lost.

Then Grandpa picked out a small plastic bag that held several buttons. “These are special,” he said. “Each one has a story behind it.”

“Will you tell me one?” Colin asked.

“I thought you wanted to go fishing,” answered Grandpa.

“Not right now,” Colin pleaded. “I want to hear a story.”

Grandpa’s first button was quite large, its white color shaped like clouds. “I almost lost this during a camping trip,” he said. “Your uncle Troy and Scott were with me. “And during a snowball fight we saw a rabbit.”

“You had a snowball fight grandpa,” the boy said in amazement. “Did uncle Troy get you good?”

“He sure did,” grandpa answered.

“Did you pat the rabbit, Grandpa?” Colin asked holding his breath.

“I thought it strange when he let us. After all, it was a wild rabbit,” grandpa said. “See this one? It came off at a Church picnic.” He held up a button with black specks, like bruises.

“What were you doing Grandpa?” asked the little boy.

“I was racing the Pastor for the soccer ball,” grandpa chuckled. “And I tripped and fell down. Later, I scored two goals,” he said proudly.

“You must have been a good player Grandpa,” Colin said.

“Yes. And grandma cheered the loudest,” grandpa said with a smile.

Colin squeezed his eyes tightly. He could almost hear feet thundering across the field. Oh, he wished he had been there on Grandpa’s team.

Then grandpa picked another button from the pile. “I almost lost this one for sure,” he said. “I was snow shoeing north of Bass River.”

Colin noticed it was bright white, like snow. A curve in the middle formed a valley between green.

“You know how to snowshoe? Colin asked.

“Yes,” grandpa said. “I even raced with your uncles…”

“You beat them every time, too,” Colin interrupted.

“Yes,” grandpa answered. “How did you know that?” he asked. Then gave his grandson a light punch on the shoulder.

“I almost lost this one at Economy Lake,” said grandpa. My denim jacket scraped against the side getting out of the canoe.”

“Grandpa. I watched a story on TV about canoes,” said Colin. “That part is called Gunnels.”

“Very good Colin,” Grandpa said. “Anyways, I camped on this little island with your dad. The moon shone bright as a flashlight on our tent.”

Colin gulped. Somehow he could just see that island. With trees and rocks and a little beach.

“Then in the morning, the loons…” grandpa started to say.

“Oh Grandpa,” Colin interrupted again. “I really like the sound of loons. I saw this program about them on TV…”

Now it was grandpa’s turn to interrupt. “You must be patient to hear the story,” he grinned. “Besides, it’s much more interesting to hear loons in their natural habitat,” grandpa added.

“Do you think I’m going to do all those things? I mean, when I grow up Grandpa?” Colin asked.

“Yes, you are. In fact, some of your adventures will be very different. You might go kite gliding, or parachuting…”

“Uh. Uh. No parachuting for me, thank you very much,” Colin said. The boy noticed grandpa’s chin beginning to drop lower. And lower until he was fast asleep.

“Oh Grandpa, I love you,” was a grandson’s whisper.

Grandma came silently into the living room, carrying today’s paper she just bought from the corner store. She watched Colin sitting patiently beside his beloved grandpa. A few snores escaped her husband’s lips, as his head leaned against his grandson.

“Do you want another chair, Colin?” grandma asked. “You might be more comfortable.”

“Thanks grandma,” the boy answered. But, I have to guard grandpa’s treasures.” Then he opened a clenched fist. His little hand held brown, gold and silver buttons.

“Would you like to come in the kitchen? Help me make cookies?” grandma asked.

“No, grandma. I want to be right here when grandpa wakes up.” Colin pushed grandpa’s glasses back on his nose. “Guess what grandma? Colin said. “We’re all going to watch the fireworks tonight!”

And his huge smile was bright as grandmas.

* * *

© 2009 Richard L. Provencher
All Rights Reserved

URL for Richard L. Provencher
http://writers.ns.ca/Writers/rprovencher.html