Inklings 2025

Indelible Moment Luca Falero ’25 It was a weekday, though I can’t recall exactly which one, when my grandpa and I went out for lunch. I’m rarely blessed with his company alone, and so, like always, I cherished those precious hours together. Typically, I see him with the rest of the family, where the hum of chatter and small talk makes it hard to truly connect with him. But when I do get that chance, it feels pro - foundly special. We sat by the window at our favorite spot on the golf course— tuna melts and Arnold Palmers on the table. As usual, we started with the familiar rhythm of catching up. For me, it was school, soccer, or news about my brother. He talked about his golf games, travel plans, and the random thoughts that came to his mind. Lately, though, he had begun to mention his physical struggles— ailments that seemed to surprise him, as if his once athletic, active body had betrayed him. His back had been giving him trouble recently, and I could sense the frustration behind his words as he described the sharp, lingering pain in his lower back. Still, we fell into our usual cadence—chattering, complaining, laughing. We ate slowly, savoring the meal and each other’s com - pany. Then, something unexpected happened. One of my grand - pa’s friends approached our table—my step-grandma’s ex-boy - friend, of all people. He stopped to say hello, and naturally, my grandpa, still preoccupied with his back pain, mentioned it. What happened next left an imprint on both of us. His friend, standing beside us with a small smile, casually began listing his misfortunes. First, he told us he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, holding out his trembling hands as evidence. Then, without hesitation, he men- tioned his wife had left him. And lastly, as if it were the least of his worries, he told us he had recently been hit by a car. Golfing Nina Galinsky ’26 29