"Are you really here?" I whispered.
He nodded.
"Yes."
I stood too quickly.
The room tilted.
Dad moved toward me instinctively, but I raised my hand.
"Don't."
He stopped.
I stared at him.
"Why did you leave?"
His eyes filled.
"Mara—"
"Why?"
He lowered his head.
"Because I made decisions I thought would protect you, and I was wrong."
I felt anger rising.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
He nodded.
"I know."
"Mom said you couldn't stand looking at me after I went blind."
His face changed.
For a moment, he looked physically wounded.
"She told you that?"
"Yes."
He closed his eyes.
"Oh, Mara."
I waited.
He took a shaky breath.
"I never stopped wanting to see you."
"Then why didn't you?"
He looked toward the door.
"Because after I challenged what happened at the hospital, your mother and the hospital's attorneys became involved in a dispute over your care. I eventually lost the right to contact you directly without permission."
