[00:05.96]I know now that the man who sat with me on the old wooden stairs that hot summer night over thirty-five years ago was not a tall man.
[00:14.78]But to a five-year-old, he was a giant.
[00:18.48]“Thirsty?” Grandpa asked.
[00:20.66]“Yes,” was my reply.
[00:23.05]“How about running over to the gas station there and get yourself a bottle of Coke?”
[00:29.04]I couldn’t believe my ears.
[00:32.26]On my family’s modest income, Coke was not a part of our budget or diet.
[00:37.16]“Okay,” I replied shyly.
[00:39.77]Grandpa reached his huge hand deep into the pocket and took out some silver coins.
[00:45.98]He instructed me to pick out a dime and then stood up.
[00:49.58]“Okay,” he said, helping me down the stairs and to the curb,
[00:53.06]“I’m going to stay here and I’ll tell you when it’s safe to cross.
[00:57.75]You go over to the Coke machine, get your Coke and come back.
[01:01.88]Wait for me to tell you when it’s safe to cross back.”
[01:05.70]My heart pounded. I clutched my dime tightly in my sweaty palm.
[01:11.57]Grandpa held my hand tightly.
[01:14.41]Together we looked up the street and down.
[01:17.35]He told me it was safe to cross.
[01:19.74]I ran faster than I had ever run before.
[01:23.01]Reaching the other side, I turned to find Grandpa.
[01:25.84]There he was, standing exactly where I had left him, smiling proudly. I waved.
[01:32.04]“Go on, hurry up,” he yelled.
[01:34.22]My heart pounded wildly as I heard the Coca-Cola machine motor humming.
[01:39.34]I walked directly to the big old red-and-white dispenser.
[01:43.15]I knew where to insert my dime.
[01:45.44]I had seen it done before and had fantasized about this moment many times.
[01:50.56]The big old monster greedily accepted my dime.
[01:54.69]On tiptoes I reached up and opened the heavy door and grabbed one.
[01:58.95]The bottle was cold in my sweaty hands.
[02:02.10]I will never forget the feeling of the cool glass on my skin.
[02:05.70]Coke in hand, I proudly turned back to find Grandpa.
[02:09.61]He was waiting patiently. He smiled.
[02:12.99]“Stop right there,” he yelled. One or two cars sped by me.
[02:18.67]“Come on, now,” he said, “run.” I did. “Don’t ever do that alone,” he warned.
[02:24.58]I held the Coke bottle tightly, fearful he would make me pour it into a cup, ruining my dream.
[02:31.68]He didn’t. One long swallow of the cold cola cooled my sweating body.
[02:37.15]I don’t think I ever felt so proud.
