With a thoughtful expression, he looked up at the man and asked, “You’re her dad?” The man nodded, his gaze steady. “Yes, that’s correct,” he confirmed. “Her partner couldn’t join us for the trip, so I’m here in his stead.” He paused briefly, adding, “She has some challenges with navigating situations like these on her own, partly due to her autism. It’s important that she has support.”
“You see, she gets anxious, especially in places like this,” the man continued, his explanation unfolding a narrative far different from what Sandra and her colleagues had initially imagined. The tension in Sandra’s chest eased slightly as she listened, realizing the complexity of the situation. How could she have misinterpreted it so drastically?