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great-granddaughter Leigh-Ann down in L.A., what, five years ago? The last five years of Adam’s life seemed to have gone by in about five minutes.
    Sometimes Adam drew comfort from the long years he’d lived, but sometimes he felt like he was just one more helpless observer. He watched as Wylie lifted Robert’s eyelids, looked down for a long moment, then smoothed them closed. Over the last weeks he had noted that, home from his five-year journey, Wylie seemed strong and humorless as ever. Wylie went to the foot of the bed, where he lifted the sheets to run a finger along the sole of Robert’s left foot.
    â€œHe can feel that,” said Sky, dropping into a chair.
    â€œYou don’t know what he feels,” said Wylie.
    â€œThere’s another chair outside, Wylie,” said Adam.
    â€œI’ll stand.”
    Adam looked at his favorite three grandsons, listened to the hum and shuffle of the hospital. “I asked you two to come here so we could have an honest talk. I have some questions that need answers. First is what to do with our beloved Robert. As you know, the doctors say he is beyond hope.”
    â€œThe doctors are full of shit,” said Sky loudly, aiming his voice toward the open door.
    â€œIn this rare case, I agree with them,” said Adam. “However, inarguably, this room has been running me eighteen hundred a day for the last two weeks. Plus the meds, supplies, nutrition, et cetera. Cotton swabs cost eight dollars per. This isn’t about the money, of course. It’s about getting Robert to where he would want to be.”
    Adam caught Sky’s impatient look and took a deep breath, reminding himself that forgiveness was divine, especially when it came to offspring. “And where is that, G-pa?”
    â€œMammoth Lakes,” said Wylie. “Obviously.”
    â€œYeah, but take him home? Or to a room at the hospital?”
    â€œNeither,” said Adam. “I think we should move Robert in with his mother. I think that would please her. The family can afford doctors and nurses as needed. But I wanted your thoughts before going ahead with that.”
    â€œMom is Mom,” said Sky. “But better for Robert than this dump.”
    â€œWylie?”
    â€œNot up to me, sir.”
    â€œI asked for your opinion.”
    Wylie thought a moment. “Robert’s better off with his mother. So, yes, Cynthia.”
    Sky looked at Wylie impatiently, then shook his head as if Wylie were a simpleton. “So, G-pa—what did you really drag us down here for?”
    â€œWe need to talk about you two.”
    â€œWhatever.”
    Adam set his big hands on his knees, balanced his weight over his boots, and stood. His knees ached and his vertebrae clunked, but he straightened to his considerable full height. With his toe, he pushed his chair to Wylie and pointed at it. When Wylie had sat, Adam took a deep breath and looked down at his grandsons. “I believe in both of you.”
    â€œI believe in me, too, G-pa, although—”
    â€œShut up, Sky.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œLet me reassemble my train of thought. Good. Now. Twenty-five years ago, each of you was brought into this world with both advantages and challenges, as we all are. You are both parts of the larger Carson clan. Because of the death of my son, Richard, at the hand of Cynthia—and Richard’s prior fathering of Wylie—you two half brothers have had a rocky time with each other. You were born less than six months apart. Innocence protected you at first. Then, through the years, you found knowledge, truth, suspicion, distrust, dislike, disrespect, and—for want of a better term—contempt.”
    â€œDon’t forget his envy of my Carsonness,” said Sky.
    Adam looked down at Sky and rested his gnarled hands behind his back, feeling his shoulder rotators grinding softly—an old man trying to keep from slapping his grandson across the