[ WP ] You are an early-adolescent teen . You 're elderly relative is dying . On their last legs , they want to show you something that will stay with you forever

Grandpa Earl looked his grandchild in the eyes and smiled the kindly smile that Connor loved so much. His smile was a reflection of his kind soul. Earl always had a smile or a joke at the ready whenever someone needed it. Sometimes even when they did n't know they did. Earl knew his grandson needed a smile now. 
 
 `` Does it hurt, Grandpa?'' Connor asked. `` The cancer?'' 
 
 Earl, honest to a fault, said, `` Yes. Yes it does, son.'' 
 
 `` I do n't want you to go, but I do n't want you to hurt anymore.'' Connor swiped at his eyes with his shirtsleeve and tried to put on a brave face for this man who raised him after his mother had died just three years earlier. `` Remember when I fell and hurt my teeth? You came out and took me to the doctor. Does it hurt like that?'' 
 
 `` No, Connor, not like that. It's more like...'' Earl winced and continued, `` more like just really sleepy, but you ca n't just tap a nap and feel better.'' 
 
 Connor tried stop the tears but could n't. His grandfather had been a large, strong man for as long as he could remember but over the last few months had atrophied to nothing. His sallow skin stretched taut across his knuckles, knees, and shoulders. Every time Connor looked at him he was reminded of how quickly he had withered away. Earl noticed the way Connor looked at him, and it saddened him, too, but he smiled. It seemed to be the only thing about him that never withered. 
 
 `` Connor, hand me my wallet. It's on the nightstand.'' 
 
 Connor followed the trembling hand as it pointed and he tried to ignore the tubes going into the machines, into his grandpa. He picked up the worn leather wallet and placed it in Earl's hand. 
 
 `` Son, I have always kept this in my wallet and whenever I've had a tough day I think about it. My grandfather told me about this when he died, and he said his grandfather did the same. It's a tradition in our family. And now-'' 
 
 A coughing fit racked Earl's frail form. Connor watched, wishing he could help. 
 
 `` Now, I'd like to show it to you. Keep it for your grandson, but I do n't want you to forget about it. I'd like you to keep this in your wallet for those gloomy days.'' 
 
 `` I do n't have a wallet.'' 
 
 `` You do n't? Well, then, we'll have to fix that.'' Earl emptied the contents of his wallet onto the bed next to him. He held out the wallet to Connor who took it reverently. 
 
 `` Promise me you wo n't forget, Connor.'' 
 
 `` I wo n't forget. I promise.'' Tears spilled freely down Connor's face. 
 
 `` Look in the billfold pocket.'' 
 
 Grandpa Earl smiled in contentment and closed his eyes. Connor opened the wallet, the softened leather creaking but inaudible over the sound of the machines surrounding his grandfather. He looked into the wallet and saw a folded piece of paper in the corner. He took it out and turned it over in his hands. Connor glanced up at his grandfather, who had stopped breathing. 
 
 Knowing that his grandfather had died, but wanting to honor his last moment before interrupting it with the hospice nurse and the calls he knew he'd have to make Connor stood and kissed his grandfather on his still-warm forehead. He looked down at the piece of paper and opened it. A naked picture of his grandmother stared back at him.
