There was something scary to me about my mom’s dad; it could have been his FBI-type glasses or sharp nose or severe jawline. Whatever it was, TJ was not the type to pull pennies from behind your ear. He actually spanked me once. It hurt like hell, and I cried my eyes out, but he didn’t care. He thought I was overindulged, which was laughable, considering my mother’s opposition to everything from baked goods to sleepovers to pierced ears.
