Hillbilly Elegy

phone frequently, and one night she told
me that I had to know she loved me more
than anything and she wanted me to
return home when I was ready. “This is
your home, J.D., and always will be.”
The next day, I called Lindsay and asked
her to come and get me. She had a job, a
house, a husband, and a baby. But she
said, “I’ll be there in forty-five
minutes.” I apologized to Dad, who was
heartbroken by my decision. But he
understood: “You can’t stay away from
that crazy grandma of yours. I know
she’s good to you.” It was a stunning
admission from a man to whom Mamaw
never said a nice word. And it was the
first indication that Dad understood the