Chapter 5

Gabriel opened the study door.

My father sat beneath a green-shaded lamp with reading glasses on his nose. When he saw me, he rose so fast that his chair struck the bookcase behind him.

We stopped with half the room between us.

He was thinner. His temples were almost entirely white, and his right shoulder sat lower than it used to.

He crossed to me, looked at my face, then at my right hand.

"Where are you hurt?"

"I'm not hurt."

He took my arm and checked for himself before pulling me into his chest. Cedar and tobacco closed around…