by Steven Chevalia

Created on: July 11, 2009

Quentin's grandfather died. His grandmother walked out of the hospital room. She had asked Quentin and his family to stay outside in the final moments. Quentin lowered his head as she walked towards them. She tried to hold her head high, but she looked older than Quentin had ever seen her.

Jonathan stood up as his mom approached them. The two embraced as Quentin's father wept in his mother's arms. His shaking frame rocked Quentin's grandmother back and forth since she was too small to prevent the tremors from moving her.

"Did he die in peace?" Quentin's mother, Julie, asked as the mother and son broke apart.

"Yes. I told him it was his time to go. He closed his eyes and was gone."

"That's good." Quentin's mother paused.

"Well, he left a beautiful legacy behind him. I remember he used to say, 'Gloria, we're just links to the past.' He would get this proud glint in his eyes as if it were his father, or even him, that had built America from the ground up."

Jonathan laughed, as he wiped his eyes, "Well, he and my grand dad were in construction."

Gloria smiled and nodded her head. "Well, let's get going. We have to prepare for the wake."

Quentin stood up. He hadn't spoken since Gloria had come out. As the four left the waiting room Gloria stopped.

"Quentin?"

"Yeah, Grandma?" Quentin asked.

"Would you like to give a eulogy at your grandfather's funeral? Your father will be giving one a well."

Quentin stopped walking and looked at her. "What?"

"The eulogy. Would you like to write one? Just two minutes. That's all." She paused then added, "your grandfather would have wanted you to." Hook, line, and sinker.

Quentin took the bait. "Sure, Grandma."

"Good. He knew you and your father are the writers in the family and would have wanted it this way."

Quentin and his family walked out of the hospital and piled into the minivan which took them to the funeral home where Gloria began setting up the details with the help of Jonathan, his brother Roger, and the Reverend who had been a personal friend of Arnold.

The funeral was scheduled for the next week and Quentin began writing his eulogy, making sure to have more than enough time to re-write it and practice presenting it.

The hearse pulled up to the funeral home and the pallbearers pulled the coffin out to take it in. They set it up and lifted the top half of the lid, revealing the face of Arnold. Quentin watched as his grandfather was put on display so friends and family could say their final goodbyes.

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