The Surgeon's Ghost
Following my father's directions, the cars wound through twisting back roads until they reached a desolate graveyard.
"There, Adeline. You wanted to see Samuel? He's right here."
My father's face was etched with deep, weary lines. After speaking those words, he seemed to drain of all strength, slumping forward and resting against my headstone.
My black-and-white photo stared back from the marker.
But Adeline just fixed her cold gaze on the tombstone, her eyes brimming with unmistakable disgust.
She lashed out without warning, slapping my father hard across the face.