mutual

“I love freckles,” said Grandma

as she consoled her bullied

‘spot-face’ grandson

“I love wrinkles.” He grinned.

grateful to be informed

not that long ago

there was no telecommunication

mail was days or weeks or years

between send and receive

anxious moments stretched into

months without knowing

this morning’s text message

eased my heart with news

my grandson is back in this country

having lost weight but standing

on his own two feet

i am grateful to be so informed

generations hug

little red-headed boy fighting tears

hobbling grandmother comforts

“Do you know what I like most?”

“Uh-uh,” he sniffles

“Freckles. Isn’t that what they

were teasing you about?”

slow smile in response

“Do you know what I like most?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Wrinkles.”