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The double doors split open, allowing me easy access. The woman behind the desk, Vanessa, looked surprised to see me and smiled. “Oh my god, Poppy. How did you get here? Your father has been looking all over for you since you took off. He said things got a little. . .” Her voice trailed off as she glanced around, looking for the right words. “Unstable. You know, like your mom. And that you ran off. He's going to be so happy you're here. Let me call up.” Vanessa reached for the phone, but I stopped her.

He told people I was crazy and disappeared? Really?

“No, don't do that. I know I worried him, and I feel awful about it. But I'm feeling better, and I want to surprise my father, so shh,” I said as I held a finger to my lips. “Don't let him know I'm here. Okay?”

Vanessa grinned and nodded. “Of course. I won't say a word. I'll call Bill to let him know. This way, you can sneak right in there, and he won't see you coming.”

“Perfect,” I said with a bright smile. I walked behind the desk and gave her a hug. “It was good to see you.”

“You, too. Your father is going to be so happy. He's been really off. I'm sure he's just been so worried about you.”

Yeah. Worried.

I forced a soothing smile and said, “I'm sure he has been. I put him through so much. Thanks again, Vanessa, for keeping my arrival quiet.”

“Absolutely. I wish I could see your father's face when you walk through his door.”

“I'm sure it'll be a shock,” I said as I got in the elevator and pushed the button for his floor. It was four in the afternoon. Everyone was busy finishing up their work for the day, so the elevator was empty, and the halls were quiet. I didn't see anyone.

As I approached the security guard for my father's area of the building, he gave me a wink and a smile. “We weren't sure we'd see you again. Your dad didn't say much, but it sounded like it wasn't good.”

“It got dicey for a bit. I made some really poor decisions, but I bounced back.”

“He told us things were tough at home.”

“Yeah. I feel terrible that I put him through this. I really want to surprise him and make it up to him.”

“Well, I'm really happy to see you.” Bill patted my arm. “And I bet he's going to be happy, too.”

“Thanks. Can I?” I asked as I pointed to the locked door.

“Absolutely.” He pushed the buzzer, unlocking the door to the lab area.

“Good to see you, Bill. Tell Linda I said hello.”

He gave me a nod as I walked through the door, which closed automatically behind me. The lab tables were buzzing. Employees in long, white lab coats, wearing face shields and goggles, were focused on their end-of-day tasks. No one turned their head as I walked by. Not a soul paid attention to me. I was certain they heard the door and felt the breeze as I walked past, but it was too close to the end of the day to get sidetracked.

My father's office was in the back of the room, tucked in the corner. His name was tacked to the door in gold letters. I stood outside the door for a moment before knocking. My mind was suddenly a jumble of thoughts and emotions. There was so much I wanted to say. So much I needed to get out. But then what? What happens after I say what I need to say? What happens after the confrontation?”

The doorknob was cold against my palm as I held it. I turned it slowly and pushed the door open cautiously. “Did we forget how to knock?” my father asked. His face was buried in paperwork, lit up by his computer screen. Before I could say anything, he said, “Doesn't matter anyway. Can't you see I'm busy? Get the hell out.”

“I don't think I'm going anywhere just yet,” I answered.

My father's gaze jumped from the papers to my face. His eyes were huge as saucers, and his mouth was partially open in shock.

“Surprised to see me?” I asked.

“Poppy,” he said. “Wh—what are you doing here? How did you—how did you get here?” he asked, his words stuttering out. He was so stunned to see me that he could barely speak.

“I drove here. Just like I usually do. Aren't you wondering where I've been? I've beenmissingfor a couple of weeks now. Surely, you want to call the cops and let them know I'm still alive.”

“Of course. Absolutely. And I will. But first—” My father got up swiftly from his desk and walked around to meet me in thecenter of his office. He held his arms out to embrace me like a regular father would. His smile was so fake it made me sick. Everything about him made me sick. The shock in his eyes, the wrinkles on his forehead as he tried to figure out what was going on, the way his eyebrows arched in thought, and his lips as they curved upwards, held a twitch of anger and frustration.

“I'm just so surprised and relieved to see you. I had no idea where you were, Poppy, or what happened to you. I think I'm just in shock right now.”

I grunted as I stepped away from his embrace. He gave me a wary look. I kept my back straight and my neck long as I moved past my father and walked to the giant window beside his desk.

“You're so full of shit, Dad. You were never worried. You did this.” I looked out the window and crossed my arms over my chest. “What I don't know is why. Why did you do it?”