Albert

[ROllerton]

AN OLD MAN WAS GROCERY SHOPPING WITH HIS GRANDSON.
THE TODDLER WAS CRYING AND AT TIMES SCREAMING AT THE TOP
OF HIS LUNGS.

AS THE OLD GENTLEMAN WALKED UP
AND DOWN THE AISLES, PEOPLE COULD HEAR HIM
SPEAKING IN A SOFT VOICE...

'WE ARE ALMOST DONE, ALBERT...
TRY NOT TO CRY ALBERT. LIFE WILL GET BETTER ALBERT...'

AS HE APPROACHED THE CHECKOUT STAND, HE CAREFULLY

BRUSHED THE TODDLER'S TEARS FROM HIS EYES AND SAID
AGAIN,

'TRY NOT TO CRY, ALBERT. WE WILL BE HOME SOON, ALBERT.'

AS HE WAS PAYING THE CASHIER, THE TODDLER CONTINUED

TO CRY AS A YOUNG WOMAN IN LINE BEHIND HIM
SAID, 'SIR, I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL HOW SWEET
YOU ARE BEING TO YOUR LITTLE ALBERT.'

THE OLD GENTLEMAN BLINKED HIS EYES A COUPLE
OF TIMES BEFORE SAYING, 'MISS,
MY GRANDSON'S NAME IS JOHN. I'M ALBERT.'