"I guess you could say my first disaster was getting born to a ma who didn't want me."That suits Etta May just fine: she and her grandfather, Gent, are happy on their own. But Gent is ill, and he won't see a doctor. When her ma comes to visit, Etta May finds herself relying on her as Gent gets worse. The only thing she'll let herself count on is her promise to Gent to let him die peacefully in his own bed, no matter what ma says