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face-to-face—prepared to face any consequences. 
Not so the kids today.  They hid behind their gadgets.
    He was still astounded that Brady had recently
learned of the end of his long-term relationship via a text message from his
girlfriend.  What kind of a woman broke up with someone via a text?  It was the
coward’s way out, as far as Ike was concerned. 
    For a smart kid, that Brady could sure pick ‘em,
he thought sarcastically, as he ran a hand through his still-thick grey hair. 
It was a shame too, since he was a good man—had sound values.  He deserved a
good, loving woman in his life. 
    “Oh, Ike, I think I see them!” Liz said eagerly,
pointing off into the distance.
    He followed her directions and sure enough,
spotted his grandson standing beside a young woman.  He recognized the pretty
girl from her rare visits to her grandmother.  She seemed to be a nice enough
girl, but he couldn’t help be disappointed with her for her apparent disregard
for her grandmother.  Liz was a wonderful person, loving and kind, and deserved
better than to be warehoused and forgotten by loved ones.
    He knew Liz was hurt with the girl for her
infrequent visits.  She often made excuses for her, insisting she had an
important job that required her undivided attention, just as he was forever
making excuses for his own absent family members. 
    He turned his attention to Brady again.  Good
looking kid.  Reminded him of himself as a young man.  Tall, could have a bit
of a swagger under certain circumstances, but was so serious most of the time. 
Frankly, the kid needed to let loose and have a good time on occasion.  He was
so hell-bent on growing that company of his that he hardly ever made time for
himself, or others.  He was going to burn out by the time he reached forty if
he wasn’t careful.
    “Ike, what if they spot us?” Liz worried aloud.
    “They won’t,” he assured her.  “I intentionally
parked way over here, since the rose garden is across the way.”
    “Do you think this is going to work?” she asked
him then.
    He only shrugged.  “It’s hard to say.  They’re
both a couple of hard-headed kids, focused on their jobs…”
    “A work ethic is a good thing,” she
pointed out.
    He nodded.  “Within reason.”  He was silent for
a moment, but roused himself.  “I had the same work ethic as Brady, and I
hardly knew his father—my son.  Nor did I know my own daughter.”  He gave a
weary sigh.  “It wasn’t until I had a grandson and actually had time to spend
with him that I realized I hadn’t made the time to enjoy my own children.  I
chose work over them every time.” 
    He scrubbed a hand across his face and Liz saw
that his eyes had clouded.  She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. 
She knew he was distraught about the reality that work had come first for him. 
She also knew he was nearing the end of his life and hated that he had no
discernible relationship with either one of his children, since each had
followed the ‘work first’ model set by him.  Work first, family second.  It was
his biggest regret—that’d he set such a horrible example.   
    Well, he wasn’t about to let Brady live the same
life.  He loved him too much for that.  He was going to assure his only
grandson understood what was really important in life.  People were important. 
Not things.  People .
    Ike smiled into Liz’s eyes.  She was important
too.  His eyes passed over her sweet, plump face.  She had twinkling blue eyes
beneath a cap of soft auburn curls, a slightly turned-up nose, and rosy
cheeks.  Her lips were tipped up at each corner as if she wore a perpetual
smile.  And she seemed to.  How she managed to retain such a cheerful outlook
when her family had virtually turned their backs on her was beyond him. 
    “Oh, look, Ike, they’re walking into the rose
garden.”
    “Good, good,” he murmured, watching after them. 
     
    ***
     
    “I have to tell you, I’m