Отрывок из книги
September 13th, 1995
It was no surprise that everyone loved Grandpa Joe Harper. He was the quintessential sweet older man that invoked memories of the archetypal grandfather from classic films, as though he were the physical embodiment of all the positive imagery of grandfathers in popular media.
.....
Neither son was closer to their parents than the other. However, Henry did take after his dad more and Lee after his mother more, but their similarities did not endear them more to their similar parent; if anything, it did the reverse. If favoritism was to be noticed, then Henry got along with his mother and Lee with his father. Regardless, their family was very close, and what little favoritism was shown did not cause animosity, jealousy, or distrust. This attitude was instilled in all of the Harpers, and even the grandchildren got along well, with Henry’s and Lee’s children playing together regularly, and Henry’s son Paul and Lee’s son Jeffery even declaring the best friend status of their relationship several years back. They had been inseparable ever since. They were rambunctious together and Pop Pop egged them on, often getting the boys and himself in trouble with the wives. Lisa, now 13, was getting too mature for her younger brothers and cousins and often felt left out when they would play guns and “boy games,” especially when Pop Pop would so eagerly play with her brothers. But, just as he had never done with his sons, Pop Pop never showed favoritism towards his grandchildren. Each was special. He was even very gentle and enthusiastic with the youngest, Eve, at three.
Pop Pop had started to spend a lot of time with his grandkids after his wife’s death. He hated to be alone in the house, so would drive over most days to one of his sons to babysit/play/supervise. He would eagerly volunteer to babysit and even force Lee and Linda and Henry and Gwen to go on “date nights,” even going as far as buying concert and theater tickets so the sons would be obliged to leave and use him as a babysitter. The family knew how lonely he was after Emily’s death and gladly embraced his eagerness to be around. No one ever complained, because Pop Pop was helpful and cheerful and never complained.
.....
