caroline_mccarthy -- NEISD.net

To Dianne

Remember Granny?s apartment?

Red carpet

High ceilings with crown molding

Windows sealed shut

Oh, what I could have done to that place if it was mine!

The Granada- former hotel room #7R overlooking the beautiful San Antonio River

Once grand

Now... not so much

That unique ?Granny smell? took root in the fibers of our clothing

as our eyes scanned the jungle of stuffed garbage bags occupying every chair

Small grocery carts helped organize her Toys for Tots collection

Barbies in this one

Stuffed animals in that one

Pots and pans sat rusting on the drying rack in the kitchenette

She didn?t cook

Were they for show?

A broom rested tall and lonely in the corner

Dusty pennies napped in gift bowls on the coffee table

Remember Granny?s apartment?

She had a thing for TV?s

Big, shiny TV?s with remote controls

that strangely didn?t work after she brought them home

?Would anyone like to buy a TV,? she would say.  ?It doesn?t work.?

Remember Granny?s apartment?

Plaques and framed letters lined one whole wall

The USO, the San Antonio Police Bike Patrol, the Marines

They all knew Granny

I guess we did too.

Caroline McCarthy

Driscoll Middle School