He spoke nothing during the funeral. Clutching her picture tightly, he nodded at everyone, as if afraid he\u2019d break apart if he stopped. During that first week, we took turns bringing over food and offered to spend the night, but he never asked. He just kept repeating, \u201cI\u2019m alright, kiddo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite his words, it was clear he was struggling. The emptiness in his eyes told a different story, one of loss and overwhelming grief. But he didn\u2019t want anyone\u2019s help. He preferred to carry the weight alone, just like always<\/p>\n
AFTER GRANDMA PASSED, GRANDPA FOUND PEACE IN HIS OLD CABIN
\nThen, one day, he vanished.<\/p>\n
No warning, no note. Just gone. The house was quieter, emptier, even though the silence had been heavy long before. I couldn\u2019t help but wonder where he went, or if he\u2019d even be coming back. The fear that I wouldn\u2019t see him again settled in, and all I could do was wait.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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