"Little jewel." Dad's chocolate brown eyes twinkled. His dark brown hair shot through with salt-and-pepper was cut short and he wore the brown and cream diamond-patterned cardigan that he'd called his Mr. Rogers sweater.

"Nope. Not buying it. We've done this illusion dance before, false Adam. Begone. I've already lost you and you're not what I'm here to find."

"Never take anything at face value. Come on, Ash, I taught you better."

"How's that relevant?"

He ...