I Traveled Across the Country to See My Son but He Told Me to Wait Outside Like a Stranger

was hiding in the den,” she said, “very quietly, and then I looked out the window and saw you walking down and I cried a lot.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I said.

“I cried more after,” she said, “because I thought you thought we didn’t want you.” She paused. “Did you think we didn’t want you?”

I crouched down so I was at her level. My knees objected but continue reading …