The Way of the Wave

Summer in May, the Pacific Ocean, Aganlaz Island. This was the first summer since moving here, and Ben felt an excitement like never before. After long days at school and endless pleading with his grandfather, he finally got his wish: to join his grandfather on a fishing trip out at sea. Ben’s family had originally lived in the city. His father worked at a construction site, and his mother was a sales clerk at a McDonald’s. Though not wealthy, Ben’s parents doted on him as their only child, giving him a happy and comfortable life. One late afternoon, as Ben returned from school, his mother told him that his father had to travel far away for a construction project and wouldn’t be back for a while. If Ben behaved, his father would bring him a gift upon his return. Ben was thrilled because his father always brought him toys whenever he returned from long trips. But that trip turned out to be his father’s last. When his mother received the news of his father’s death in a construction accident, she collapsed by the phone. It was the first time Ben saw her cry so bitterly... Life in the city wasn’t easy, especially for a single mother raising a young child with so many expenses to cover. A year after Ben’s father passed away, his mother decided to move back to her hometown. She told him it was a beautiful island, and he would love it there. And she was right. From the moment they arrived, Ben was captivated by the new and fascinating things around him: the boats, the seagulls, the sunlit sandy beaches, and the ocean breeze... In the distance, a man with sun-tanned skin, a white beard under a wide-brimmed hat, and a warm smile stood waiting. Ben’s mother pointed and said, “That’s your grandfather. Wave to him!” Ben did as he was told, and his grandfather waved back. As the boat docked, his grandfather ran over, lifted Ben into his arms, kissed his forehead, and said, “Welcome home, my boy.” It was the first time Ben had met his grandfather. Since his parents had married and moved to the city, Ben had only heard stories about him. Despite being over 70, his grandfather was strong and energetic, carrying Ben in one arm and their luggage in the other as he walked briskly. He led them to an old motorbike (similar to a three-wheeled vehicle on the mainland) and said, “Now, let’s go home.” He drove through the town toward the mountains. “The weather today is wonderful,” Grandpa Arago said with a sunny smile. It had been a long time since he had seen Ben’s mother, his only daughter, and his eyes sparkled with joy as they chatted. A small house nestled behind the hillside, with a gravel path leading to it, a wooden fence, and a dog lying in the yard. Hearing the sound of the bike, the dog jumped up, recognized Grandpa, and dashed through the fence to run alongside the bike. Grandpa Arago called out, “Hey, Hector! Emily’s home!” The little house felt warm and welcoming that day. Since his wife had passed away and his daughter had moved to the city, Grandpa had lived alone with Hector for all these years. He said to Emily, “You should rest today. Tomorrow, I’ll take Ben to town to enroll him in school. In the afternoon, we’ll visit your mother’s grave.” That evening, after dinner, Grandpa Arago climbed up to the attic and brought down a box. He opened it and took out an old harmonica. Turning to Ben, he said, “This is the harmonica I used to play for your mother when she was little. Would you like me to play a song for you?” “Yes, please!” Ben replied. Grandpa Arago sat down slowly, placed Ben on his lap, and played the song he used to play for Emily every night. Before long, Ben drifted off to sleep. When he woke up, his mother was preparing breakfast, and Grandpa was feeding the chickens in the yard. His mother said, “You’re up? Go wash up, have breakfast, and then Grandpa will take you to school, okay? Be good today, and I’ll take you out later.” “Okay,” Ben replied, still groggy. After breakfast, Ben put on the backpack his mother had prepared and followed Grandpa. Grandpa drove him straight into town, greeting everyone they passed: “Hello, I’m taking my grandson to school.” They rode past houses to the other side of the island, where a small school came into view. The school had only three classes and four teachers who took turns teaching, mainly to prepare students for higher education on the mainland. Grandpa led Ben to the teacher’s office. “Hello, Martha. How are you? I’m here to enroll my grandson today.” “Hello, Grandpa Arago. I’m well. Is this Benzamil you told me about?” “Yes, he just arrived yesterday. Here’s his transfer papers and school records his mother gave me this morning.” Grandpa handed over a folder. “How’s Emily? It’s been so long since I last saw her, must be eight or nine years now,” Martha said as she opened the folder. “She’s doing well. You should come visit sometime. She often asks about you in her letters.” “I will.” “The paperwork is all set. I’ll take Ben to his class now. You can come back to pick him up at 10:40.” Martha led Ben away. When he turned back to look at Grandpa, he saw him smiling, raising a fist, and saying, “You’ve got this.” As Ben entered the classroom, Grandpa left but didn’t go home. Instead, he went to buy some supplies for the upcoming fishing trip. Since Grandma’s passing, Grandpa had stayed ashore, but with the current situation, he decided to return to the sea, the profession he had pursued since his youth. Luckily, when he stopped by Mrs. Hellen’s store, she suggested that Emily help run the shop. It would give Emily some extra income to support the family. Grandpa Arago headed to the harbor where his boat was docked—a small fishing boat for three or four people, but everything was neatly arranged. Though he hadn’t gone out to sea, Grandpa cleaned and maintained the boat every week to keep it in good condition. He stepped onto the boat, into the cabin, and touched the helm, saying, “Hello, old friend. I’ll need your help again.” After checking the boat, Grandpa went to pick up Ben from school. Seeing him, Ben ran over excitedly. Grandpa lifted him up, hugged him, and asked, “How was school today, my boy?” “It was great, Grandpa! I made new friends—Simon and Clara.” “That’s wonderful. You’re just like your mother. Now, let’s go home.” Grandpa drove Ben home, asking him questions along the way to keep him talking. More than anyone, Grandpa knew how hard it was for a boy Ben’s age to grow up without a father. He hoped he could be both a grandfather and a father figure to help Ben through this time. When they got home, Hector ran alongside the bike as usual. This time, after greeting Grandpa briefly, the dog ran after Ben. Grandpa said, “He likes you. He only runs after me and your mother.” Ben was delighted. He took out a piece of bread his mother had given him that morning and fed Hector. Emily called out, “Ben, ask Grandpa to come in for lunch.” “Okay,” Ben said, running over to Grandpa, who was fixing the wooden fence. “Grandpa, Mom said to come in for lunch.” “Tell her I’ll be right in after I finish this,” Grandpa said, quickly securing the last few planks. In the afternoon, Grandpa took Ben and his mother to visit Grandma Samantha’s grave. She had passed away a year before Emily left, and now it had been nine years. Every week, Grandpa would bring flowers, sit by her grave for a long time, read her Emily’s letters, and play the songs she loved... Today, he brought flowers again and gently said, “Samy, I’ve brought Emily to see you. You’d be happy, wouldn’t you?” They stayed by the grave for a while before Grandpa led them to the harbor. He pointed to a white boat with the name “Little Rosy” and said to Ben, “That’s my boat. When you grow up, it’ll be yours.” “Why is it called ‘Little Rosy,’ Grandpa?” Ben asked, curious. “Because that’s the name your grandmother gave it,” Grandpa Arago said, his eyes filled with nostalgia. They walked along the beach before heading home as the sun set behind the hills...