The Bingo Hall

Anthony Larry's Grandma Lillie

Who is this short, old woman claiming to have raised my mother?

The first time I stayed with Lillie Mae Jackson, I was either four or five and ignorant of the grandmother concept. I began to study her. She had my nostrils and my complexion. Her voice was light sandpaper brushing my eardrums. The next test was of her cooking. After making PB&J sandwiches, I stopped her mid-slice terrified of a horizontal half. She smiled and set the knife diagonally before saying, "Who you think taught yo mama to cook, boy?" That summer, I must've gained twenty pounds. She provided a constant feast. I'm still collecting crumbs.