There was always white smoke coming off my grandfather’s body.

Of course he wasn’t actually on fire. There was no heat or smell either.

I never checked, but I was probably the only one who could see it.

Anyway.

My grandfather always came to greet us grandchildren with a big smile, but there was always white smoke coming off his body.

He was a kind and gentle grandfather, but in my childlike mind I was so terrified of him, I hate going to visit my grandparent’s house.

When my grandfather died, white smoke started to come off my father’s body.

Naturally he wasn’t actually on fire. There was no heat or smell either.

I never checked but perhaps my father was also able to see the smoke that came off my grandfather’s body.

My father and I started having dinner and drinks together like he and my grandfather did.

The other day, my father died.

I realised that white smoke was coming off my body.

My younger sister’s son, who’s entering elementary school next year, looked at me and started crying that I was on fire.

Perhaps that child can also see.