Byron tried to steel his heart against the inevitable pain that spending time with his father would bring. But no matter how he tried, he knew there was no way to avoid the suffering. It was kind of like putting his hand deliberately into a fire, knowing it would scroch him.

Maybe Emily was right, and it was a good thing to be vulnerable. The feelings of nostalgic affection he had for his father couldn’t exist without the pain of abandonment. The memories were too intertwined. ...