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The Humpback's Song by Lanie Shanzyra P. Rebancos

Sleepy humpbacks Resting on the seashore Angels on the sand. Every summer, I spent my vacation at my grandmother's place. She lived near the beach, where friendly dolphins and graceful humpbacks swam. Grandma's house was painted autumn leaf and surrounded by a lily-white fences. It was an old house, a gingerbread house. Grandpa inherited it from his father and now that grandpa had gone home to God, grandma lived by herself. It was a five-hour drive. I occasionally stopped to grab some food from the convenience store. Finally after a long, tiring drive, I began to small the salty air. My mind began to see the passionflower colored water, white sand, and the gingerbread house. The white picket fence came to view and I began to feel lighthearted and excited. I parked my tar-black Sedan and went inside grandma's pretty little world. The gate creaked as I opened it and my nose was suddenly tickled with its sweet-smelling things. I noticed her beautiful, magical yard with snapdragons, iris, and crocus. Suddenly, between the bushes of red and pink roses appeared a head of silver flowing curls. "Grandma!" I called and ran to her. Grandma's lovely, wrinkled face brightened. She immediately dropped the hose and wiped her hands on her granny dress. "Amanda!" I ran into her outstretched arms and buried my face on her soft bosom. I felt wonderful to come to those comforting arms. "You're a very lovely young lady," Grandma greeted me. "How are you?" "I'm fine and you?" I asked. "And this, I love it!" I twirled around in her beautiful garden. "Let's go inside. I baked you your favorite." Grandma said as she winked at me. "Blueberry cheesecake!" We chorused and laughed as she opened the front door. At first light, we walked on the seashore and watched the enchanting sunrise. We talked about a lot of things. We talked about her past, the war, and even her wedding day. "It was the most beautiful evening ever. When the pastor gave us his blessings, the humpbacks began to sing their song." Grandma said as she took a deep breath and looked out at the sea as if something just caught her misty eyes. The sun was already up high when we went back inside the house. Grandma loved to prepared mouth-watering foods, such as buttered eggs, sausages, waffles, and fruit juice for breakfast. Oyster stew, smoked salmon, steaming rice and cream puff for lunch, and lasagna, veal chops, lemon sole, and chocolate mousse for dinner. Every time I went back to the city, I had gained five pounds from those succulent dishes. One warm evening, I saw grandma sitting on the white sand with a mug of steaming cocoa in her hand. "Hi, grandma." I whispered as I approached her. She looked up, a bit startled. "Oh! Here, sit with me." Grandma said as she took my hand. "What are you doing out here?" I asked. She shrugged. "Just thinking about those dolphins and humpbacks. How they sang such wonderful melody." I looked at her and saw a hint of loneliness in her walnut eyes. "You miss grandpa, don't you?" I softly asked. "Yes. But I know one of this days, he'll come back for me," Grandma said. "We will ride the dolphins and sing with the humpbacks together." I suddenly felt sad as grandma took me in her arms. The next morning, I had to go back to the city to attend on some business schedules. Grandma wrapped me in her arms and asked when I would be coming back. "I'll be back as soon as all my meetings are done," I told her as I kissed her soft cheeks. "I promise." I waved at her as I stepped on the gas and saw her wipe her tears. It was a hectic week of endless meetings, signing of contracts, and countless dinners with clients. One evening as I was on my out of the building, my secretary left a note. It was from grandma, asking me to come at once. The next day, I packed my things, cancelled all my appointments, and drove back to her house. Grandma was asleep when I got there. My heart skipped a beat as I took her arthritic, gnarled fingers in mine. She looked pale and her once rosy cheeks were now hollowed. Slowly she opened her eyes. "Amanda? Is that you?" I kissed her forehead. "Yes it's me, grandma. Are you okay?" "Don't mind me, dear," Grandma replied half-smiling. "I'm glad you made it." Grandma got weaker and weaker everyday. I stayed with her day and night. Until one starry evening, I was reading a book beside her when she suddenly woke up. "Amanda! Hurry, get my lilac shawl and put on me my cloche," Grandma ordered me. "I don't want to be late." Though confused, I stood up and gathered her things. "Here it is, grandma." Grandma smiled. "Let's go to the beach." I put her in the wheelchair and opened the back door. A soft, salty breeze welcomed us. "Let's sit on the sand, dear. They'll be here any minute." Grandma said, excitement in her voice. I carried her down to the sand. I wrapped the lilac shawl around her ebony shoulders and put the cloche on her oval head. We sat there for what seemed like an eternity, suddenly I heard the cries of the humpbacks and dolphins. Grandma sat upright; her face beamed. She turned to me. "I love you, Amanda." I couldn't speak. My body trembled as the hot liquid trickled down my flushed cheeks. Finally, I heard grandma speak again but this time her voice was no longer hoarse but soft and young, as she turned her head towards the water. "It's about time, Ned." Grandma whispered as she slowly closed her eyes. I held grandma in my arms for awhile, thinking how happy she was when her time was finally over. I just know how glad grandma was when grandpa finally came back for her.

© 2004 Lanie Shanzyra P. Rebancos

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