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totally the opposite of my dad’s messy personality. But if it was just for show, I guess it made sense. I picked up the nameplate on the desk. “ Assistant Director William Kepler. Dad, did you get a promotion?”
    He nodded. “Came through last month. I forgot to tell you about it.”
    Hurt stabbed through me. “That’s great, Dad.” I dropped the heavy metal nameplate back on the desk and moved to look out the window. I hated that my own father forgot to tell me about things like a promotion. Then again, I didn’t know why I was surprised. He’d lied about bigger things than that.
    “Nice view.” I looked out at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, covered in a swath of green from the forest below. Clouds raced across the blue sky of a perfect summer’s day.
    Dad came to stand next to me, and he looked out in silence for a moment. “I don’t get to enjoy this view nearly enough. Usually too busy. But you’re right — I need to be better at noticing those things.” He frowned at me, and I knew he was thinking of our relationship. “That’s going to change. I promise. Now, let’s get you over to the med wing and start the clearance process.”
    We made it to the other side of the building without running into anyone else. Dad led me through a heavy glass door marked Medical Offices and smiled at the receptionist. “Dr. Kepler and Alexa here for Dr. Rosen.”
    She nodded and picked up the phone while Dad and I headed toward the back of the office. A door at the end of the hall opened, and a heavy-set man with messy hair stepped out to greet us.
    My head spun, and I felt like someone had jolted me with electricity. I knew him.
    “William, did we have an appointment? Who’s this?” His bushy eyebrows furrowed, and then his expression lightened. “Well, I’ll be… Is this Lexie? All grown up? I’m not sure if you remember me…”
    I could only nod. He was the doctor I’d seen when I was five when I’d taken all those tests and started my supposed ADHD meds. I’d been bored and scared in the cold, stark doctor’s office, but he’d given me candy and talked to me while we waited.
    I ignored the strange, metallic tang in my mouth and forced a smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”
    “Ten years, but it seems like just yesterday you were in my office.”
    “Getting drugged. Yeah, I remember.”
    His face darkened, the soft skin of his jowls moving as he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Lexie. Your dad said he was going to tell you about the medication today. Are you upset?” The skin around his dark eyes wrinkled with his frown.
    “Wouldn’t you be?” I snapped.
    My dad shook his head. “Lexie, watch your tone of voice.”
    “It’s okay, Will. I’d be angry, too.” Dr. Rosen nodded and looked me directly in the eye. None of this shifty-glance thing my parents had tried with me lately. “I’m sorry for what happened. I don’t expect you to trust me, but I would like for us to be friends again someday.”
    I didn’t know what to say. I guess he’d just been doing his job. It wasn’t Dr. Rosen’s fault Mom and Dad had lied to me. I shrugged. “It all happened a long time ago. Let’s just forget it.”
    Relief lit his face, and he rubbed a hand against the sandpaper of his jaw. “Good. Now, let’s get the rest of the clearance process taken care of. Come on in.” He gestured to the door and I climbed onto the paper-covered exam table.
    “Will, have a seat in the waiting room. We’ll be out in a minute.”
    Dad nodded. “You going to be okay, Lex?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Of course. I’m not five anymore.”
    He smiled, almost sadly. “Right. Sometimes I forget.” Then he shut the door behind him.
    Dr. Rosen pulled back the cloth covering a series of sharp needles and three vials of liquid. “Your dad’s really missed you.”
    I’d missed him, too, but I was still too angry at all his lies to go down that road right now. I nodded toward the needles. “What are