the twisted , uneven purple skin ran from his wrists all the way up to his shoulders . but i knew he would n't , so i restrained myself - just . in a year or so , we 'd be facing this stuff in person . i was huddled under a sweater , trying to keep up with my father . he reached out toward it with hesitant fingers , knowing he had to touch it to pull it out . yet here i was , hiding like a child during a thunderstorm . 