Changing The Oil

“Now tell me Gramps when should you go for an oil change, “ said MrsT concerned about the loud knocking sound coming from the little red car’s engine.

“Hmm I should check my record’s Gramma before I assume and make an ass of myself, again. Give me a sec,” replied Gramps.

The T’s had resorted to using the names they settled on for use by their grandkids for fun and it relieved the long breaks between seeing them due to this pandemic. Every sniffle brought concerns about the virus and the only way to be sure was to get them tested.

“Ohh Gramps I guess you’ve heard they are now vaccinating kids between five and eleven ‘cause schools have been the place where the virus spreads. Of course our grandkids are too young so they have to be monitored closely. We don’t want you catching something nasty do we?”

******

“What took you so long Gramps? You normally have all that info at your fingertips. Maybe it’s you that needs an oil change.”

“Well ‘pronto’ is not what what I’m seeing so like an oil change what goes in makes for smooth running. Methinks I have to change your diet. Gramps. Your body is just a machine and it needs regular maintenance,” said Gramma. Ohh and one other thing you need is exercise my dear. You how energetic those two are and you have to keep up with you know.”

“Give me a break Gramma. I forgot that the mileage log was still in the cubby. According to that our little car is way overdue for that oil change so we should get it done pronto.”

This didn’t exactly go over to well.

“Fine, let’s just get the car done and then we can think about what you’re saying,” said Gramps rather dismissively.

Gramma noticed a decline in Gramps’s condition. It was Martha from her book club who brought attention to it when she discussed her husband’s decline. They all agreed that isolation from the virus was the cause but in view of the virus mutating extreme care was necessary.

“Well get on it Gramps and when you get back I will have a healthy smoothie ready for you. Banana and strawberry will do the trick. It will be your lunch then we can go for a walk.”

Hours later Gramps returned with a smile on his face. He’d forgotten all about the smoothie.

“What’s the big grin for Gramps you left under a cloud?”

“Well Markus the mechanic was telling me that the way things are going cars of the future will all be electric and no longer require oil changes. There will be fewer moving parts. Green solutions will replace all coal production and create more jobs. The grandkids will see that happen.”

“Ohh my goodness Gramps you can’t go with fewer moving parts. Come on drink up and then we will go for a walk. No excuses now. Just do it!”

Just then the phone rang.

“That was our daughter. The grandkids are coming over Gramps.”

All that Gramma saw were moving parts as Gramps did a jig of joy.

#farce #walking #grandchildren #satire #diet #climate #oilchange