``We have to do something major for your thirteenth birthday, dear one. It’s when you become a man, and it’s honored in many cultures with a ceremony.’’ She smiled and her eyes gleamed at the thought of putting together a festivity.
Pete shrugged his shoulders and looked at the ground.
``Gran, I’m not sure –‘’
``Nonsense. What would you like to do and who would you like to invite?’’ Pete looked at her with dismay.
``You don’t mean a party? With friends and everything? I don’t know.’’ Pete blushed and rubbed his nose. He loved his grandmother who was lively and interested in everything he did, but this was a little too lively.
``We could have a dancing party, or go somewhere on a train,’’ she went on. ``Or we could hire a carriage and drive through the city. Or we could take a trip. We could go to Paris or Hawaii or Sacramento. We could go the top of a hotel and watch the sunset before we go to a play. We could go to spring training. We could fly over the Grand Canyon.’’
``They don’t let people fly over it any more, Gran, and besides, I don’t want to do any of those things.’’
``Oh,’’ she sitting down and taking a deep breath. ``I’m doing it again. You see, it’s just because it’s such a big, big deal.’’
``I know,’’ he said, relenting. ``I might want to go to spring training, though.’’ He put his chin in his hand and grinned at her. Her smile came suddenly and she glowed.
``Ah – we could go to Florida to see the Red Sox, or Phoenix to see the Giants. We could stay in the Western Horizon ranch and ride and hike – ‘’
``Gran, stop. You’re running away with me.’’
She looked embarrassed,``Oh.’’ she said. ``I’m doing it again. I’m sorry, Pete. I’ll stop planning. You think about it and I’ll stay out of it.’’
He smiled at her again.``It’s OK, Gran. No big deal.’’
But it was.