。 He gets an incredible
amount of individualized attention。 He has his own room； his own friends； his own life。”
After a minute I said； “But he's part of the family； Dad。 And it just doesn't seem right that he's
never been over for a visit。 Not even on Christmas or
Thanksgiving！”
“He doesn't want to； sweetheart。 One year your mother and I insisted he spend Thanksgiving
with us； and it was the biggest disaster you can
imagine。 He broke a window out of the car； he was that upset。”
“But … why haven't we been visiting him？ I know you have； but the rest of us。 Why not？”
“Well； it's draining。 Your mother finds it incredibly depressing； and I understand that。 We both
agreed that it was no place to take small children。”
He accelerated onto the highway； silent behind the wheel。 Finally he said； “The years just
seem to slip away； Julianna。 One day you have a baby in
your arms； and the next you realize she's very nearly a woman。” He smiled at me sadly。 “I
love David； but he is a burden； and I guess I wanted to
protect you from that。 But I realize now that all of this has affected you and the family。”
“But Dad； it's not—”
“Julianna； what I'm trying to tell you is I'm sorry。 There was so much I wanted to give you。 All
of you。 I guess I didn't see until recently how little I've
actually provided。”
“That's not true！”
“Well； I think you know my he