Timeless

“When will the end of the world happen?”

My granddaddy consulted his big old pocket-watch.

“Not before tea time, I don’t think.” He smiled down at me. “Don’t you go listening to Mrs Higgins. The world ain’t gonna end for a long time.”

It did, though. For me, at least.

I was going to bury the watch with him, but changed my mind and dug it out the sandy soil. It was still working, unlike my granddaddy’s heart.

Now it lives in my pocket, every tick and tock reminding me that the world goes on ticking and love endures.