Naps

Napping always seemed to be a part of 27 Autumn Drive. Grandma napped more than Pop Pop, slouching into the rocking chair after her soap opera or cooking show. Her eyes would be the first thing to give her away, drooping slowly until just before closing--and snapping back up reluctantly. Only seconds would go by before the process started over.

Before long her body would slouch, form a more relaxed position with then padding of the chair. Her head would fall to one side and lean into the front of her shoulder, pressing together the aging lines that crawled around her neck and forehead. The repeated dozing would soon win the battle. It never took long.

Pop Pop usually only fell asleep on the couch after eating. It would happen in the same way: the drowsy look, slouching, lethargically slow blinks preceding a leaned back head, propped up arms on a pillow and armrest.

On rainy days sometimes even I slept. Laying out below the TV, head propped up on a pillow, even my eyes drooped as I watched the rain dripping off the awning, the misty neighborhood behind.