Gramps

My grandfather, who is living temporarily with my parents, has also joined us on the family vacation. He has always been eminently cheerful; when meeting someone new, he would always grin broadly, extend a firm handshake, and introduce himself as "Chub." His childhood nickname, Chubby, has stuck with him even in old age. Though it's less and less accurate, it's a whimsical tribute to his younger self.

Gramps is in good physical health, but Alzheimer's has ravaged his vocabulary. Still, he manages to communicate, sometimes through resourceful substitutions. For example, this morning, the word "old" escaped him. Hence:

Gramps, thoughtfully: You know, me, I'm getting really . . . long.
Me: Yeah?
Gramps: Do you know how long I am?
My mom: 88?
Gramps: Yeah! [Reflects some more and comes to a satisfying conclusion, shaking his head with the pleasure of it.] You know, I'm really something!
Me: Are you?
Gramps: Do people live to be 100?
Me: A few people do, sometimes.
Gramps: Me, I think I'm going to make that.