9 August 2012
I was sitting on my great grandfathers lap. Doing with him, what he liked to do best; listen to his stories from the war. Not the least bit intrigued I was surprised at the intensity of the tale. I could of sat there for hours but it was time for dinner. My dad picked me up and put me onto the dining room chair. My grandfather called to me from the sitting room where he sat watching the black and white screen, reliving the triumphs of the great war while smoking his tobacco. "We shall continue the story after tea". I saw my mum carry out a dinner tray, heading for the sitting room. Granddad wasn't going to eat with us. I remember trying to eat as much as I could as soon as I could. My mum telling me to slow down and my dad clearing away food I had dropped in the hurry. As soon as I had finished I asked if I could leave the table. Granted. And rushed over to the sitting room, to find my granddad asleep. I looked at him for a bit, sleeping peacefully. "Sorry Jodi, he has to sleep more than us, he will wake up before you go to bed" my mum smiled weakly. I didn't reply, just hugged her. I spent the evening watching T.V waiting for my granddad to wake up. When he finally did he continued his riveting story. About fifteen minutes into this I got weary and tired. I could feel myself and pushed myself to stay awake. He could feel me, the heaviness in eyes and the dull ache, sleep slowly creeping in. "Jodi" he said to me, "what do we do when we're tired?" he paused, "we go to sleep". He carried me to my bed and tucked me in. Semi-conscious I heard my mother and father come into my room, one after another and routinely kissed me on the head. Said goodnight. Too tired and already half asleep I didn't reply. Just faded away into the black.
When We're Tired, We Go To Sleep Part 1 • Opuss № I