Yes,Reyawasgrownnow.Shehadajob,anddatingwasnothingbutnatural.YetLu,liketlessfathersbeforehim,couldnotquietthefearthatghim:thethoughtofhisdaughterwounded,diminished,harmed.Hecould.
Especiallynotwiththeimagesthathauntedhim—Julian,theboyscarredanddisfiguredsincechildhood—andthatgreasy,pig-facedmiddle-agedmaheverythoughtcwedatLu''''schestuntilitached.
Sohedidtheonlythiohim,theonlyactoflovehecouldstillmanage:hestruckReya''''snamefromthereport.
WhenLufinallyturhefile,thepaperweighedinhispalmheavierthanlead,heavierthanguiltitself.
***
Foratime,lifehadbeenunnervinglystill.Withnoassigsoutinthefield,nodoor-to-doorinquiriestorun,Junhadlittletooccupyhimself.Yetthatfainthunawedathimlikeanant,chewingathishoutpause.
Oneevening,justasheaguptoleavework,hisphoup.
Ma''''amLee.
Shehadbeenhisfather''''sbrighteststudent,andinmanyways,hadwatchedhimgrowfromaboyintoaman.
"Jun,isthisagoodtimetotalk?"
Hecastagncearoundtheoffice.Withoutanswering,heslippedoutoftheoffidintoasteroomatthefarendofthehall.
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