Grandpa had an alcoholic neighbor
When I was growing up.
My cousin and I thought
Every country song was about him.
He had all the ear marks
A light accent
A truck
A bad temper
Plaid shirts
A dog
Cigarettes
And an ever-present can of beer.
He fought with his kids (all boys)
Fought with his wife
And if he saw us he challenged us
Tested us
Unless his kids or Grandpa stepped in.
He was fascinating and terrifying
But he cleaned up and lived
His wife died first
He still sits on his front step
Not smoking
A can of diet soda in place of the beer.
Outside the window of childhood
I now stand 6 inches taller than him
And he seems more like a man
Than I thought he could ever be.
(1/2/18)
About the Creator
Gene Lass
Gene Lass is a professional writer, writing and editing numerous books of non-fiction, poetry, and fiction. Several have been Top 100 Amazon Best Sellers. His short story, “Fence Sitter” was nominated for Best of the Net 2020.
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