After passing off his grilling tongs to Uncle Alec, Everett went to the awning near the west arcade where Granny Miri was snoozing on a lounger with her bare, bony feet propped on a pillow. Everett prodded her shoulder — not gently — until she sat up blearily and eyeballed him.

“What is it? Is the picnic over? Are there any grilled wiener in a bun sandwiches left?”

“How long will Rose continue to age too fast?”