Silent Figures

I think frequently about my grandfather these days, when the dinner table more often than not resembles war front. My paternal grandfather never spoke a word during lunch or dinner, it was a vow he had taken. He hardly even looked up while he ate. My mother or grandmother served him food and they understood what he wanted by the signs or grunts he produced. It was a marvel to me but since he was also quite short-tempered at that time, there was always a worry at the back of my mind that somebody would misunderstand what he indicated and it would be disastrous. It never happened but it kind of killed my happiness during dinner.