I tell you, “You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to,” because I can see in your eyes that you think you do. When Dad goes to take your plate away, you pull back fast. You whimper a little, like you think he’s going to hit you. It gives Dad pause. Sure, we both know you got roughed up while you were gone. That goes without saying. But knowing it and seeing it are two different things.
