Dad and I sat there together for a long time, not talking.
He stared at a photo of what once existed.
I stared at the real thing.
No wonder Gerard had freaked out in the hospital. He'd suffered in one. He'd lost his life in one.
"Dad?"
He lifted his gaze from the photo to look at me.
"I have to tell you something."
He opened the front pocket of his jacket, carefully slipping in the photo and closing the pocket again. Then he turns his attention back to me. "What is it, Cherry?"
I looked to my ghost nervously. There were tears in the corners of his eyes, but he gave me an encouraging nod all the same.
"I know him."
