Coronawhat, Now? (Take 2)

Interviewing My Grandfather, Who Died in 2003, About the Coronavirus

Me: Pop-Pop! I’ve missed you so much. Thanks for agreeing to take a few minutes for this interview.

PP: I’ve missed you too, Colin.

Me: A lot has happened since you passed away.

PP: I know! I can’t believe the Indians lost another World Series.

Me: Heartbreaking.

PP: That goddamned rain delay.

Me: Unbelievable. Anyhow, the topic of the day is…

PP: We heard about it up here: the coronavirus.

Me: What are your thoughts?

PP: Like they said: Wash your hands.

Me: But, Pop-Pop, it’s spreading so quickly.

PP: I was born in 1923, five years after the onset of the Spanish flu that killed tens of millions of people. My parents often reflected on the friends they’d lost.

Me: Oh, right. Well, a lot of the news has also been focused on the economy and the stock market.

PP: I lived through the Great Depression. It was worse for others; Dad had a job. But, you might remember that my toes were crooked from having to wear shoes years past their fit.

Me: Well, let’s see here. I do have to admit that I’m worried about my job.

PP: I was a rivet salesman, traveling the Rust Belt by car for 50 years, away from my family five days a week. You’ll figure it out.

Me: Point taken. Still, I’m not sleeping well.

PP: When I was in the Army during World War II, I learned to sleep with my eyes open.

Me: Mom told me about that. They say we might have to quarantine ourselves at homes indefinitely.

PP: That reminds me of when I watched over dozens of Nazi prisoners after the Battle of the Bulge.

Me: Makes sense. How about this Trump administration? They aren’t making things any easier.

PP: I can’t help you there. Those guys are idiots.

Me: Okay. I have one more question. I hesitate to ask but: I have a bit of a cough. Am I going to die from this?

PP: Maybe. Maybe not. I, myself, died of a protracted battle with lung cancer.

Me: Welp! I’m gonna let you go, Pop-Pop. Thank you so much for taking the time. I love you.

PP: I love you, too, Colin. Go Tribe.

Me: They just delayed baseball season.

PP: You gotta be fucking kidding me.