I nervously took a seat in an upholstered wooden chair beside both of them. I was minutes away from a heart attack. It couldn’t be…he wouldn’t… No, Essie. Don’t think that way. Don’t you ever think that way. He’d tell you first, wouldn’t he?... “I didn’t know that we were expecting visitors,” I said dryly. “Well, sweetie, it was kind of a last minute thing. I’m sorry you didn’t find out sooner,” Dad said, pasting a smile onto his face that probably wasn’t the most genuine. Then, the small man cleared his throat and spoke. “Pardon me, miss. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Mr. Robert Brown, and my father has told me so many lovely things about you. I guess we just lost track of the time.” I swallowed, terrified. “Mr. Miracle, you have a lovely daughter,” he said. “What’s going on?” I asked, suddenly feeling faint. I could not take another second of this torture. I would rather die. My father’s eyes met mine. His expression was both anxious and earnest, as if to say, it’s not what you think.