Struggling to Forget His Touch

As I step away from my father and head toward the exit, my mother follows me closely into the long, carpeted hallway of my childhood home. I turn back to her, forcing a small, reassuring smile to mask the sharp anxiety clawing at my ribs.

"I'll go over the guest list and get back to you tonight, Mom, I promise," I say, wanting to put her mind at ease. "I'll review everything Nancy prepared and ma