Carl paused before speaking. "Can I ask you a question?"

No one ever said that until something significant was about to come out, and I tried not to hold my breath. "Go for it."

"I've never heard you speak about your father."

I blinked slowly. "Probably because there's nothing to say." "I never met him."

"Is he still alive?"

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

Carl seemed to have just realized he was standing barefoot in a field of shattered glass and wasn't sure what to do next. All of his alternatives were going to be unpleasant. "I'm sorry I brought it up. I didn't intend to make you feel uncomfortable. It's simply...