I thought about that after she left.

I didn’t want Dad punished forever.

I wanted him to notice that I existed when Vanessa was unhappy.

I wanted him to be capable of disappointing one daughter without sacrificing the other.

Whether he could learn that was a question he would have to answer himself.

PART 12

Dad arrived at ten on Saturday carrying a paper bag from the bakery near his house.

He placed two cinnamon rolls on my workbench and looked around, as if surprised that the flowers were still flourishing after the wedding.