Visits to America

My grandson went to visit his uncle in Iowa when he was 8 years old. He really enjoyed himself. America and his uncle were the embedment of his dreams. The toys, parks, swimming pools, activities  and a i visit to Canada.

“Enjoy yourself, said his mother , (my daughter),” we cannot come back for two years at least”.

“Why?” asked grandson.

“It is very expensive.” Said daughter.

The next year (when he was nine) my son announced that he was getting married, so the family made a pilgrimage to Iowa again. This time too we decided to stay a month. After all after spending so much of money we could not really just attend the wedding and return!

We made a side trip to Mexico after the wedding. The newly weds joined us in a “family honeymoon, ”but that is another story!

Grandson really enjoyed himself. “America “ he announced, “Is beautiful. I want to live here forever.”

“You can “ said my daughter ,”if you study hard, get good marks and make it here.”

Grandson thought that was a joke.

“Will you take me to America when you go next year ?” He asked me.

“Oh yes,” I said ,”I am going during the holidays anyway.”

School started and a tussle began. He was reluctant to start his homework on time. He found every possible excuse to avoid studying Hindi. He ranted and raved.  In between he yelled at his dog since he could not really shout at anyone else.

I turned up there for a weekend in the midst of all this drama.

“You,”  Announced my daughter ,”are a disobedient boy. You are not going to America. You are not even going anywhere in India if you have this attitude. You are not even going to your friend’s house.”

“He he he” said grandson dancing up and down on one foot. “My grandmother said she is taking me. She is your mother,”(He seemed to think that I ranked higher in the authority hierarchy!). He continued, “I don’t really want to go.” He continued self-righteously,” I didn’t ask her. She WANTS to take me. She wants me to go with her. She asked me.”

My daughter said, “She can want whatever she likes. On top of her many many wants, she wants to run a full marathon in four and a half hours. That does not mean she is going to get that. Nether is she going to get your passport. It is with me.”
Grandson was contemplative and silent. He reached for the topmost book in his pile of homework and silently opened it.