I stacked my notes on the podium, clasped my hands together, and leaned forward, scanning the faces of the men and women assembled before me, making sure I made eye contact with the ones I had selected at the outset. This gave the impression I was speaking directly to that person out of all the people in the room. It also declared this was personal to me, not just business. And it demonstrated how very much in earnest I was about my topic.
My mentor for my dissertation had highly recommended this method of connecting with my audience.
However, after a single quick glance, I avoided that spot in a back row where Father sat. He’d flown down to Maryland, where the lab had facilities, and I supposed I should be grateful he’d at least do that. I was also surprised to see another dark-haired m
