He said what now? I was left speechless for the time being, forced to stumble after my father who exited town hall with the kind of pep in his long stride that told me he was enjoying himself far more than was good for either of us.

I crossed the street with him, heading for his office, conveniently located just down the block while I wondered if he made a habit of using the lot at the hall for his truck just to tweak Robert's enforcement of parking violations. The ...