I discussed the offer with Katharina and my
mother. Mother was ecstatic. Katharina was less keen.
“I can see now that I will not get you to
leave this dreary place,” Katharina said. “But if I promise not to
pester you about leaving, you must promise me we will make frequent
trips to Chicago.”
I promised, and then I accepted
Schaffhauser’s offer.
During the next several days, Katharina and
I spent a lot of time with Anna Marie. It wasn’t long before the
tension and anguish of my absence from Anna Marie’s life evaporated
into the snug and tranquil relationship a father and daughter
should have. My mother was relieved.
“I was afraid Anna Marie would grow distant
from you out of resentment for your long absences,” she told me one
day. “She seems to have accepted things, but she
