Last One Standing

There was only one move left for him to win, his eyes sparkled with mischief. He looked down at his cards, and then over at his opponent. Her smile lit up the room. “Pawpaw! Just play your hand already, I know you’re going to win.” He laid out his last card. “SKIPBO!” He yelled with a gleeful laugh. The girl shot him a competitive look. “Round two?” She asked. How could he not accept this challenge? The two played cards until well after the old mans bed time. But he didn’t care at all because they spent the time together. “Okay Lily, time for this old fart to go to bed!” The man exclaimed. “That’s only because you won all ten rounds, no fair!” Lily said. The old man laughed at her. He always loved spending time with his granddaughter. “We can play a different week.” He suggested. Lily nodded her head in agreement, and he took her home.

Things got busy the next couple weeks, but Lily didn’t forget about her Pawpaw’s promise to play cards again, and she wanted to win this time! She decided to call him. “Can I come over tonight and beat you in cards?” The man laughed. “Now let’s not get too confident Lily!” He said with a grin on his face. “How about you come over for dinner too!” Lily went over to her Pawpaw’s house, and while they were waiting on the vegetables to finish cooking, she decided to pull out a book that belonged to her Pawpaw. This was a book she hadn’t seen before.

Lily smoothed her hand over the small black leather bound notebook, excitement filled her as she started to read. “Harold, I love you dearly. Whenever we are away from each other, you still visit me in my dreams. You are the man I have always longed for, and you have changed my life entirely. I can’t wait for you to get back home from your work trip. Your beloved, Anne.” What Lily was reading was words of her Grandmother from many years ago that were written to her Pawpaw! There were probably a hundred filled pages in that book, and it never got boring for Lily as she read. The pages were worn around the edges, almost as if they were touched everyday.

“Lily, the vegetables are done! Time for dinner.” Harold called from the kitchen. Lily came running to the table, excited to talk about her new find. “Pawpaw, I found that beautiful black book that Grandmother wrote letters in for you!” Lily exclaimed. Harold‘s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh. I’m sorry Pawpaw. I won’t read the book again.” She said with a more sober attitude. “It’s okay my dear one.” Harold said as he pulled Lily in for a hug. You see, Harold usually hid the leather book, but he forgot that night. But he knew Lily’s heart and decided to open up to her about it. “How about I tell you how your Grandmother and I met while we eat.” Harold said as he wiped the tears away. “Okay!” Lily said, thankful that she didn’t offend her precious Pawpaw. He started sharing him and Anne’s story.

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“It all started when I was fifteen years old. I had just gotten my first farm job, at a ranch. I got the glamourous job of cleaning out all the horse stalls in the barn. One day, on break, I heard this beautiful angelic singing coming from the field. I scanned the field, looking for the person who owned that voice, and it was a girl my age. She had her back to me, and all I saw was her long brown hair. I went out to see who it was, and there sat the most glorious girl I had ever seen in my life. I went over to her, introduced myself, and in that moment we fell in love. We went to all the local dancing spots, and I’d twirl your Grandmother around until sunset. We also visited all the local ice cream spots, just so she could try every flavor in town. Your Grandmother and I had the best time together. When we turned 18, her a few months after me, we got married in the same field I first laid eyes on. Then, we had two boys, and lastly your mom. Fast forward to when I was forty, I took a lot of work trips, and that’s when Anne started writing to me every night before I left! I took that little black book everywhere I went, and I still do to this day.”

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“Wow Pawpaw, that is such an amazing love story!” Lily said happily. “I hope someone has love for me in the same way you have for Grandmother.” The girl said with hope in her heart. “You are so beautiful Lily, inside and out. Any man would be lucky to have you as his wife!” Harold exclaimed.

They ate dinner together, sharing stories and laughing together. Lily ended up winning one round of Skipbo, which made her happy. Then, the night was over.

“Goodnight Pawpaw, I love you!” Lily said as she hugged the old man. “I love you dearly.” Harold replied.

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*two years later* *knock, knock, knock*

“Hello?” Lily answered the door. “Hi ma’am, I’m sorry about the passing of your um…. Pawpaw.” He said awkwardly. “Thank you, and who are you?” She inquired. “Oh, yeah, I’m sorry, I got ahead of myself. I’m Frank and I actually did your Pawpaw’s will. He told me to bring it to you a year after he passed. Here you go.” The man left before Lily could say thank you.

Lily went inside to open the will, and inside she found out she inherited $20,000 from her Pawpaw! In that moment, she decided what she would put that money towards.

“Dear Pawpaw, I miss you so much! Things haven’t been the same without you. I’m married now to someone who loves me so much, just like you always said I deserved! With the money you gifted me, my husband and I bought that barn where you and Grandmother met! I can’t wait to have children and tell them about you two. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I love you dearly, Lily”

And with that, Lily put the little black notebook into the ground, right between her Pawpaw and Grandmother.