A Gentleman Grandma Taught

     "A Gentleman Grandma Taught"

      It would start as soon as I got off the plane dragging that huge suitcase along under jet engines. the very Earth shook to a seven year old boy. I was always some age when I got off the plane and be it five or twelve I still lugged all my own suitcase a large gray blue that year with spring out frilled compartments in the lid that uncle Ed had given me. I was to spend a week with Grandma as we would always be, "Thick as thieves" she would once in a while whisper in my ear "It is for only us" by decree and we were never to say it unless we were in the know, and when it came to Grandma we were the only two on the planet who knew. After the hugs and kisses all over which when it was Grandma I really didn't mind and that was a secret to.
"Now you stand straight." I would walk taller, yet the admonishments would continue to my joyful needs. A grand child has needs and a Grandma is necessary to that nurturing process. "Where are you looking?" was a Que for me to keep eyes front as we walked and such it went on down to the finger nails. I hope its not just me who feels this ways or had Grandma as the dirty finger terminator in action. "Let me see your hands." I had just come from the bathroom and washing near the kitchen down stairs leading to the kitchen just off the pantry hall where the cookies were and the key which Grandma put in a new hiding place from uncle Ed and would tell me year after year where it was.
My hands little instruments for all forms of fun where now being scrutinized by and expert for dirt and she always found some and here voice were shift and octave down, "Now you use that brush and get under those nails." I would look up twisting my face,
"Gee Grandma." but a look with a turned brow sent me into motion and off I would be scrubbing my hands looking at the blue sink and tippy toeing on the blue tiles in my eagerness to be the little clean man for her. I was the gentlemen of the house.
      On outings I would get more training walking just so looking but not looking at people as they were far off then creating a greeting or just a proper nod and smile at first. "Smile a little all the time." which was easy I was with Grandma all dressed up for some such lunch with Pauline her best friend.
I had on my gray slacks, brown chucks made of leather and a nice shirt and tie. Grandma was in splendor her formal dress like her others in stately blue with a sharp neck line. I walked taller with

Picture: Aunt Pat from Middle, Pauline on far left, Uncle Micheal back center, Grandma Lucile O'Shea/Murry in blue dress my Mom Margaret Spoonhour, Uncle Edward Jr. on right.  

  eye's forward to great the next person or looking at Grandma as continued on in conversation in meter with our steps and with the goal today it was the coffee shop for lunch.