My mother often said to me, “Don’t sit on Grandpa’s lap.” I never understood why. One day I ignored him and sat down anyway. Grandpa smiled, walked up to my ear and whispered, “Can you come to sleep next to me tonight?

“Can you come to sleep by my side tonight?”

I was paralyzed.

“What?”

He just smiled.

“You don’t tell anyone yet. Especially your mother.”

At that very moment, Mom returned to the room.

“What did he tell you?”

“Nothing.”

I don’t know why I lied. But on the way back home I could no longer keep it to myself.

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Grandpa said something to me.”

My mother was driving. His expression immediately became serious.

“What did he tell you?”