So, the author’s grandmother story is made up out of whole cloth?
First the author and her family would have to pay admission to get into the Hermitage. A family ticket is $54. I don't know what it was 20 years ago but it was likely comparable. Then they would be escorted by handlers on a tour with other visitors that would include Jackson's tomb. If she could have spit far enough—a feat qualifying her for the West Texas Spittin’, Belchin’, and Cussin’ Contest—she would have been confronted by outraged tourists and ejected from the property by Hermitage security personnel if not turned over to local police.