Livora Gracely

Grandpa rented Grandma a camel and accidentally ruined his own transportation.

The idea had been excellent.

Grandpa would ride their usual camel.

Grandma would rent another.

Two camels. Two riders. Twice the personal space.

Grandpa was extremely pleased with this calculation until Grandma’s rental arrived.

She was a lovely camel.

Long eyelashes. Neat saddle. Calm expression.

Their camel stopped chewing.

He stared.

The female camel stared ahead.

He stepped closer.

She stepped away.

He stepped closer again.

Grandpa’s left sandal collided with Grandma’s right sandal.

“Could you move over?” Grandma asked.

“I am moving over.”

“You’re moving into me.”

Grandpa pulled his reins.

The camel ignored this administrative request.

For the next mile, he walked so close to the female camel that Grandpa and Grandma traveled knee against knee.

Grandma pushed Grandpa’s leg away.

Grandpa pushed back.

“Your camel is leaning.”

“He’s your camel.”

“Today he appears to have other priorities.”

Ahead, the female camel maintained the dignified expression of a lady pretending not to notice a man performing unnecessarily nearby.

Their camel tried everything.

He lengthened his stride.

He lifted his chin.

He produced a sound Grandpa had never heard before and hoped never to hear again.

The female camel blinked once.

Encouraged beyond reason, he moved closer.

Grandpa’s knee met Grandma’s again.

“Ow.”

“Sorry.”

“Not you. Romeo.”

Grandma laughed so hard she nearly dropped the reins.

At the next rest stop, Grandpa separated the camels by several meters.

Their camel immediately stretched his neck toward her.

Grandpa moved him farther.

The neck stretched farther.

Grandma studied the situation.

“I think he likes her.”

Grandpa looked at his camel, then at the long road ahead.

“I liked him better when he stole our lemonade.”

The female camel finally turned her head.

Their camel instantly stood taller.

Grandpa sighed.

Some journeys become memorable because of the scenery.

Others because the plan works beautifully.

And some because somebody falls in love and everyone else loses their legroom.

Grandma leaned toward Grandpa.

“At least we rented only one day.”

Their camel heard nothing after one day.

He was busy planning forever.