Yet, as Amber pulled back the door, I could understand the cause of her concern.
Alice looked terrible, her eyes red, tears streaming down her face. Her hands were in a tight ball in her lap, her body lightly trembling.
Immediately, I started toward her.
“Don’t!” Alice shouted.
I froze. “Why?” I asked, looking from Alice to Amber and back again.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Alice said.
Amber’s whole crumpled up, as did the feelings inside of my chest.
At once, wasting no more time, I moved toward my daughter, where I swept her up into a hug. She squirmed at first, fighting against me, but I was insistent and sure. Eventually she relaxed, then even reached up to hold me back tightly. She buried her face in my shoulder, her tears dampening my shirt.
“I’m your father, Alice, “I told h
