“I gave you crackers.”
“Peanut butter crackers.”
She sat back.
“Oh, my goodness.”
Daniel continued.
His father never formally introduced them.
But Daniel remembered the teacher who sat beside him on the carpet and asked what he was reading.
She had listened to him describe the entire plot.
“He told me afterward that you were someone important to him.”
Mrs. Parker looked toward the stage.
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“I don’t know.”
Daniel paused.
“But I think that’s what the photograph means.”
Ask Daniel why.
“Why what?” Owen asked again.
Daniel smiled faintly.
“Why Dad kept coming back.”
Mrs. Parker turned.
“Coming back?”
Daniel nodded.
“He visited this school more than once.”
Her eyes widened.
“How many times?”
“At least six that I remember.”
She stared.
“I never saw him.”
“I don’t think he wanted you to.”
“Then why come?”
Daniel looked around the auditorium.
“Because of this place.”
