Hunting with Grampa

Flash Fiction

Hunting with Grampa

Henry was called into play due to a washing machine breakdown at his daughter’s house. His son-in-law already at work, Susan working at home. Normally she had no trouble working around their four-year-old, Ronnie, and her job requirements. But there were days when she needed daycare. This was one of them! However, her regular fallback sitter was away. The washer didn’t seem to care.

His mother easily watched him, and worked, on regular days. But today also had an unexpected problem at work, and her usual daycare sitter was away! Desperate, she called her father to help.

Henry was available, and close. But he had never been ‘in charge’ before. Usually, Ronnie’s parents had things planned when he was going to watch Ronnie. He just followed the plan. But today with two big problems to deal with, Susan just handed Ronnie to him, and rushed back to the catastrophes.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Henry said. Clueless as to what to do

As they walked down the street, Ronnie asked, “Did you ever see a bear?”

Thinking zoo, Henry said, “No, you?”

“Yes! There’s one in this woods! I can show it to you!” he started running!

Terrified now, Henry started yelling as he ran after Ronnie. Nobody ever told him there were bears nearby!

Ronnie was fast! Being petrified, Henry was pretty fast too!

Suddenly Ronnie stopped. Henry caught up to him and grabbed his arm, “Don’t ever run off like that! You scared me!!”

Ronny almost broke into tears, “But here it is…” he said trembling…

Henry looked down. There was a teddy bear in the grass that had obviously been there for a while!

“Oh, THAT bear,” he said, suddenly, making Ronnie smile. It turned out to be a great day, and they saved the bear too.