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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