Shopping with Grandad

‘Taylor! Can you do the shopping for me? I’m very busy today,’ my mum said. ‘Sure,’ I answered. ‘Can I have the shopping list?’ Mum handed me the list. She looked at me and said, ‘I also want you to take your grandad with you. He’s been sitting inside all day. He should get some exercise.’ ‘Oh no, Mum!’ I groaned. ‘Grandad can hardly hear anything. It will take forever to finish the shopping.’ My mum gave me a stern look. ‘Well, okay,’ I said. I went into the living room and turned off the TV. ‘Come on, Grandad! We’re going shopping!’ I told him. At the supermarket, things were a disaster. ‘Grandad, can you get a bunch of bananas?’ I asked. ‘What do you need a bunch of llamas for?’ he looked confused. ‘Never mind. Alright, can you find a tin of tuna fish?’ I asked. ‘What? Who do you want to punish?’ he asked. ‘No, Grandad! Okay, let’s try this. Can you get a packet of crisps?’ He walked away and came back with a basket and some biscuits. ‘Oh, Grandad. Well, let’s keep the biscuits,’ I said. Later on I asked him, ‘Grandad, can you please pass me a bunch of parsley?’ He punched me on the arm. ‘Ouch! No, Grandad! Not a punch! A BUNCH of parsley. Oh, never mind. I’ll get it.’ Finally, we made it to the cash desk. I was tired and irritated, and my arm was still sore. It had taken twice as long to get everything on the shopping list. Bringing my grandad was a bad idea. ‘That will be 20 pounds, please,’ the assistant said. Grandad paid the money. ‘Oh, Grandad! You didn’t have to pay! Mum gave me money,’ I said. He looked at me and smiled. ‘Nonsense. This has been a great afternoon. I got to spend time with my grandson.’ I smiled back. If my grandad was happy, maybe it was a good idea to bring him after all.