Nathan wasn’t sure he’d kept in mind that they could use that permission to avoid uncomfortable feelings that shouldn’t have stirred up in the first place.
Ugh.
* * *
Daddy
I hope you’re sleeping now, baby boy
Can’t wait for that video call with you
Nathan hadn’t been sleeping when Ken sent the message. First of all, according to his phone, he’d only sent it at ten. Second, Nathan had been busy playing a game online with a friend from college. But he hadn’t been checking his phone, so that was the message he woke up to the following day.
If he felt all warm and cozy inside all morning, forgetting about the uneasiness he’d been feeling the day before, Nathan couldn’t care less.
Nathan
best wake-up text ever, Daddy!!
Daddy
I’m glad to hear that, baby
Is Saturday a good time for the video call? Maybe after lunch
Nathan
yeah
wish it could be sooner, though
as in, right now works
Daddy
I’d love that, but the day job is killing me
Someone didn’t like me taking unscheduled days off for the first time in the decades I’ve been working here
I’m exhausted
Nathan
ohh
I’m sorry Daddy
if you want me to burn them to the ground I can probably whip up something
I’m good at making things go viral
Daddy
It’s good, brat
I’m just reaching the conclusion that this job is burning me out more than I was willing to admit
Nathan