'A Day for Grand-daddy'

"The ball's over there," Mr. Dixon said, "in with the daisies," and he pointed with one of his canes. His voice was deep, but soft.

Buddy smiled and picked the ball out from under the daisies. "My mom loves your flowers," he said and peeked up again at his white-haired neighbor. "She says she can see them from every window on that side of our house."

"She does? Your mom likes the flowers?"

Buddy nodded.

"Well, while we're waiting for your dad, why don't we pick a big bunch of flowers for your mom? I have clippers here, right in my pocket."

By the time Dad returned, Buddy and Mr. Dixon had picked a huge bouquet. "Look, Dad. Flowers for Mom." Buddy thanked Mr. Dixon and ran inside. "Mom! Look what Mr. Dixon gave you! He can walk now, with two canes."

Monday, on the way to school with the neighborhood kids, Buddy waved to Mr. Dixon, who sat in his porch chair. Mr. Dixon waved back. And after school, Buddy stopped to tell him Mom loved the flowers.

"Buddy, would you like to see my collection of model Navy ships?" Mr. Dixon asked. "I brought them out to the table there."

"Oh, yes."

The models were spread out -- battleships, destroyers, one aircraft carrier, a submarine. Buddy counted 12 ships. "They're beautiful," Buddy said.

"I was in the Navy for years. I'm retired now."

The next afternoon, Mr. Dixon waited for Buddy on the porch. The ship models were gone, but little pieces of rope were on the table.

"If you're in the Navy," Mr. Dixon said, "you have to know about ropes and how to tie knots. You can secure things or make anything you need, like shelters and tools. Here, let me show you."

Later, Buddy told Mom about his afternoon. "Mr. Dixon showed me how to tie a square knot. He's been around the world, and once he got out a map and told me to point to any country I wanted and then he told me interesting things about it."

"I wonder what he'll surprise you with next," Mom said.

Well, it was painting. Three afternoons in a row Buddy and Mr. Dixon sat together on the porch and painted. Then one day, Mr. Dixon surprised Buddy with a question. "What is your real name?"

"It's Henry Russell. Mom says in memory of my two grandfathers I never knew. Buddy's my nickname." Right then, Buddy thought Mr. Dixon should have a nickname. And Buddy knew what that nickname would be.

"I have a nickname for you," Buddy said.