Perfect Timing

Perfect timing. By A. Rogers.

The pipe was cool enough for the man to place it in his breast
pocket.
The boy spoke as he played with the ball.
" Grandad?"
"Yes," answered the grandfather.
"Why don't you live with Nan any more?"
The man thought.
"Well, we don't get on," he replied.
"What does that mean?"
"Well, we used to argue a lot. A bit like you and your sister, so your
Nan and me live in separate houses and now we don't argue any
more."
The man tries to anticipate the next question.
"So, if Jane moves out then I wouldn't fight with her. Is that
right?"
"Not exactly. Where would she go?" the man replied.
"That's no problem, she could live with Nan."
"I don't think your Mum and dad would like that."
The grandfather reached into his breast pocket and takes out his pipe.
He starts to clean it out with his penknife. It's not the best time to
light up, but the ritual helps him to concentrate.
"But what did you argue about Grandad?" the boy asks.
"Your Nan didn't like me staying out with my friends."
"When I'm home late from school, Mum tells me off for staying out too,"
says the boy.
"Does she?" the grandfather replies, hoping this conversation ends soon
or goes in another direction. He fills the pipe with tobacco.
"Did you have lots of friends grandad?"
"One or two."
"Did you have a best friend like my friend Paul at school?" the boy
asks.
"Yes."
"I heard Mum talk about a woman named Alice. Was that your friend,
Grandad?"
The boy is bright and although he appeared only slightly interested in
his grandfather's friends he had some leading questions that concerns
the man.
"Yes, she was called Alice, I think. You have girlfriends at school
don't you?" asked the grandfather, desperately trying to change the
direction of the questions.
"No, don't be silly. They're always crying and try to kiss you. Did
your girlfriend kiss you grandad?" the boy asked.
The man was stumped for an answer. If he lied to his grandson, he knew
it wouldn't end there, for the boy was very inquisitive. If he said yes
then one hundred questions would follow. He decided to tell the
truth.
"Yes, she did sometimes," the grandfather answered.
"Where did she kiss you grandad?"
The man was stumped and thought hard.

"Tea's ready, you two," his daughter called from the house.
"Com'on lad, tea's ready. I'll race you to the house."
The man placed his pipe into his breast pocket and ran as slowly as he
could to the house and gave thanks for his daughters perfect
timing.