“Do you mean that, Father? Do you really mean it?”
“I have no intention of losing you again.”
Then in a soft voice that Roberta had never heard him use before he added,
“I missed you, son.”
Still with his arm around Roberta, Adam took a step forward and held out his hand to his father.
In order to shake it, Mr. Garson released Danny, who then ran across the room to Columbus.
Roberta, however, had eyes only for Adam.
She heard him say in a tone that she knew was both grateful and relieved,
“Thank you, Father, and I am glad to be back.”
For one second Roberta thought that there was a hint of moisture in Mr. Garson’s eyes. Then, as if he was ashamed of being sentimental, he dropped Adam’s hand and said sharply,
“Where the devil is everybody? That siren is making enough noise to wake
