There was silence on the other end. A pause… Then a boy's voice rang in the background.
"Mom! Can you help me with this?"
Instantly, her attention shifted. Sid could hear it in the way her voice softened, the way she called back to the boy.
"Just a second, honey!"
Her tone was full of care, full of warmth. A warmth Sid hadn't heard directed at him in years. He watched the blank wall in front of him, expression flat.
"Yeah. I'm gonna hang up now. Go take care of your son."
"Sid, wait—"
The call ended with a beep. Sid lowered the phone slowly, then pressed his hand over his face. For a moment he sat in silence, the weight in his chest felt heavy. Then, with a sudden burst of frustration, he slammed the phone against the desk. The sound cracked through the small room. He exhaled hard, shoulders trembling slightly.
