Martina's Grandpa Peter lived with the family after Grandma's death.
One day, Mom Susan decided to do the spring cleaning. They cleaned the house until everything was clean. Then Mom pointed to Grandpa's sofa and said, "That old sofa has got to go. We'll buy Grandpa a new one."
But as they moved the sofa, Grandpa stopped them and shouted, "You can't take my sofa! I don't want a new one." Mom had to say, "We will talk about it tonight when John gets home." John, Martina's dad, was still at work.
"Grandpa, why don't you let us take away the sofa?" Martina asked at supper. Grandpa shook his head, "I sat in this sofa, with your grandma, when I asked her to marry me. It was so long ago, but when I sit in this sofa and close my eyes, she seems to be near."
"It's surprising!" Martina thought, "How Grandpa can remember things from the past. These days he forgets almost everything."
Grandpa smiled to Martina, "The night your father was born, I sat in this sofa. I was nervous when they placedthe little babyinto my arms."
"Many years later," Grandpa continued, "I sat in this sofa when the doctor told me your grandma was ill. I was lost without her, but the sofa gave me the comfort."
"I do see now." Martina looked at Grandpa. "This is not just an old sofa. It is more like a friend." "Yes." Grandpa added, "We've got through a lot together."
The whole family agreed that the house would be boring without the old sofa.
