Grandfather's Stopwatch

I grew up with my grandfather. He fought in the war and is one of the coolest people I know. Growing up, he always boasted a marvellous collection of vintage pocket stopwatches for me to look at. When he got very sick and could not spend much time outside the hospital, I was devastated. However, he left his grandchildren each with a pocket watch to let us know he would be by our side at all times.

My elder brother’s eyes lit up when he saw his vintage gold watch. It was embezzled with fine opals, and ticked rhythmically. Although it was very old, the watch ticked like it was brand new. When I unboxed mine, I hoped that it would also be a fine sterling silver watch. Instead, I received a rusty pendant with broken elements. Looking at the poor unfortunate watch, I could only think about my grandfather’s frailty, and it only made the misery worse. The clock handles refused to move. It was frozen in time.

I fiddled with the cogs cautiously. I saw some of my grandfather in this poor little watch. It was very old and the copper red chains looked like they were about to snap. Eventually, the handle ticked. Just as I was about to share my excitement with my brother, a familiar hand grabbed mine and pulled me out the bedroom window.

When I landed, I felt my feet touch the soft green grass. In front of me, a younger version of grandfather gleamed at me. His eyes beamed joyously. Behind him was the Wendy’s Store that shut down six years ago. It served rainbow soft serves. Grandpa would always buy them for me before smashing them on my face as a joke. I followed him, and realised I was in the past. We spent the rest of the day revisiting all the sites we used to go. We checked out that vintage watch shop that he adored. We even went rollerblading. In the meantime, the rusty pocket watch continued to tick inside my pocket.

“What time is it?” He asked.

I pulled out my rusty pocket watch as the day turned pitch black. The handles slowed down. When it stopped, I looked up and found myself on the cold, dark streets outside my home again.

A week later, we said goodbye to grandpa. Before he passed away, I sobbed and he comforted me, saying, “the past beats inside of us like a second heart.”

I still carry that pocket watch with me even though it doesn’t work. It just helps me to remember grandpa and what a cool person he was.