C9 The Man Who Didn't Know Her

Ava was in the kitchen doorway, her hands numb.

"Papa," she said again. "Look at me. Please."

Marcus tilted his head. His eyes were soft and wet and utterly vacant. He folded the paper bag once more, smaller than before, until his palm contained nothing but a minute square of white paper.

"I'm sorry, miss," he said. "My memory is not what it was. They tell me I had an accident