"I was literally photographed thousands of times at that con," I said.

"Yes, but by strangers. It just felt...different. I was making sure you were good."

"You're very sweet, daddy, but you can have all the pictures you want of me. And I want lots of the two of us," I said. "I want to show you off."

Later we were eating lunch at a nice little restaurant that was quiet for a Saturday. Daddy said they did a lot of their business during the summer, but it wasn't as busy during the off-season. I was busy eating so it took me a moment to notice he was picking at...