Stranger Grandpa

He’s somebody’s grandpa I bet, we all said. He had wandered into our family reunion around nine. Grandma rolled her eyes and set him in front of the TV. He smelled like chew, his flannel shirt was a bit wrinkled. He was unkempt but clean, a relative maybe? No one knew, but we kept our opinions to ourselves. He lit up a stogie and watched the news past our heads. Grandma brought him a tray with bacon, eggs and two piece of toast. As she turned to go he gave her a playful pat on her petootsie ootsie. We young ones laughed; earning sharp looks from our parents. We never did find out who the guy was, but figured he was an Iowan. This was 1962, when children did not know the ways of grownups. I have never forgotten the pat on grandma’s petootsie ootsie Or the way the old dude’s face lit up when he looked at me and grinned. I pegged him as Granddaddy’s replacement, but never saw him again.