Weekend Freewrite 2/3/2018 (The Several-Prompt Approach by @mariannewest)

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My grandfather lied to my grandmother. I guess it runs in the family.

I was my grandfather's little darling. I have beautiful memories of him when I was a child. Every summer, my brother and I would go to their house to spend our vacation. I could feel his excitement every time he sees us running towards him. And I could also feel his sadness as we bade goodbye and returned to our place when summer vacation was over.

One day, I have heard my parents talking about grandpa. I found out that my grandfather was ill. I didn't know his condition. I didn't understand things as I was still 8 years old at that time. Not anyone in the family discussed his condition.

Then, another summer vacation came.

I noticed that Margaret had this habit of spitting. It began to get on my nerves. Margaret is my cousin. She used to annoy me a lot because of her bad habit. In the evening, I decided to sleep next to grandpa. I could sense that this night wasn't like any other nights.

I heard grandpa murmuring about something. I asked what it was.

"I don't think I still have a lot of days ahead of me to live.", grandpa said.

I didn't know how to react. I didn't know what to say. I could feel a lump in my throat. I pretended I didn't hear anything. Because I was sure that my voice would break if I'd say anything. I felt tears were running down my cheeks.

The next day, I was bothered at what I heard from grandpa. I told Margaret about it. I told her not to tell anyone. But she just couldn't keep her mouth shut.

While we were having breakfast, Margaret said, "Grandpa said he's dying. Is it true?"

Everyone was shocked. My grandmother's spoon fell on the floor. Margaret's mom stood up in anger. We witnessed the day her mother slapped her face.

Everyone tried to calm my grandma. And dad started talking about grandpa's condition. He had prostate cancer already in its terminal stage. They kept it from grandma because of grandpa's request.

My grandfather lied to my grandmother. I guess it runs in the family. We lie so as not to hurt the ones we love.