SELF-CONDEMNATION
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
Later That Day
“Um, um. Why didn’t you tell Layla? She knows what to do. That’s her specialty, David.” Grandma Little expressed her disgust and disappointment in a way that made her youngest son feel like a child again. “You’re lucky I’m here in Long Beach. Otherwise, I’d make you get me a switch and whoop your behind. I’m not playing, boy.”
“I know, Mama. I’m going to tell her.”
“You’d better, before I do. If I have to, then she will be really upset at you. Have you told any of your kids?”
“No, Mama. I’m not sure I want to. There’s nothing they can do.”
“They’ll want to see their father before he dies. That’s why. You ain’t gonna keep that from them. Are you?”
Granny Little knew that her son wasn’t truly close to any of his kids. Sure, he spo
