The Most Important Thing: Stories about Sons, Fathers, and Grandfathers

Paul is woken up early in the morning by his father, Michael, who is usually surly and silent. When he isn’t, he is either giving Paul advice or cautioning him about something. Michael is taking Paul to stay with his grandfather in Colorado because Michael is busy with work and his mother is having surgery. Paul hardly knows his own father because they rarely talk, but he has never even met his grandfather. At the airport, Paul challenges his father, asking why Michael and his grandfather don’t talk to or like each other, but Michael doesn’t respond except to say that Paul will likely find out when he meets him. Paul’s father doesn’t even say goodbye as he leaves Paul to board the flight. On the plane, all Paul can think about is how he is about to spend a week with someone he has never met.

When Paul lands in Colorado, he doesn’t even know who to look for, but his grandfather recognizes him because Paul looks just like Michael. Paul immediately feels like he is looking at an older, more tired version of his own father as well, and he notices that his grandfather wears a cap that says “Viet Vet” on it.