After leaving Philadelphia on a wild goose chase, I drive to the small town of New Hope ironically in the hopes of catching her in the act this time. When I stop with my new car in the driveway of my parent's old house, I hesitate before unlocking the door. The last time I had been here was when I was 7 years old.

Remembering ice skating in the backyard and breaking my arm, I wince at the thought of just how much it hurt and the whooping I got when my dad found out. My dad had a temper ...