Today the Worm turned five years old. She’s still wiggly, but sweet as sugar and so much wiser. She can outsmart her grandpa. Maybe outsmart is the wrong word. More like wrap her grandpa around her little finger. Not Grandma, of course.
“Grandpa,” she said with a lilt in her voice, “I’m really hungry.”
“You are?”
“There’s a little store down on the corner,” she pointed, “where you can buy donuts.” She had that Grandpa’s-a-pushover smile on her face. She was already at the park, if you know what I mean.
Her dad overheard. “I told you to eat your breakfast.” The grin turned into a I’ve-been-caught smirk.
Yesterday, she called me on the phone to see if I wanted her to come over so we could play games. I sat cross legged on the floor. She curled up in my lap, then tilted her head to look up at me. She took my face in her hands. “Sing the song you used to sing to me when I was a baby,” she requested. Believe me after you’ve heard my voice once, you’d never make the mistake to ask me twice. But no worry; this little girl listened with her heart. 
I peeked in to say goodnight, when I heard my child in prayer. Send, Dear God, some scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for my hair. It’d never win me a spot on American Idol, but the Worm could care less.
We walked upstairs, hand in hand, to find her birthday present in the closet. The shove and close guy who lives with me had been in the spare bedroom before us and shoved everything he could from our last getaway, then quickly closed the closet door. Pillows, suitcases, stray coupons, hotel size shampoos and conditioners blocked the way. “Your Grandpa is such a slob,” I said, using my unhappy voice.
“Actually,” I heard in a tiny voice, “I think he’s a really nice man.”
I handed her the pink and lavender unicorn Pillow Pet™ (sans wrapping; I don’t do gift wrapping), just the one she wanted. She squeezed it into her chest. “You know what, Grandma?” she asked. “After just one hug, your child or grandchild will fall in love.”
I picked up the Worm and hugged her. The infomercial was right. After just one hug I was in love.
Happy 5th birthday, Ro.
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Oh how sweet. She is a doll. Out of the mouths of babes. And, her grandpa is a really nice man.
Happy 5th birthday Worm ; )
What a wonderful story! This whole Grandma job is just the best!!! I’m so glad you have them close to you so that you can enjoy them lots! Bet they’re glad, too!
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