My dad’s pixellated face smiled out at me. I couldn’t tell where he was. The background was too washed out with light, but I guessed he was at home. “Hey, Dad.” “How are you?” “Um, I’m kind of in the UK.” “Oh?” He squinted out of the display at me. I saw his gaze take in the wallpapered wall behind me. “Is Nora okay?” “No, she’s not.” His smile faded. “Cancer?” “Probably.” “Honey, I am so sorry. How bad is it?” “I don’t know. Her ovary ruptured-” My dad winced in response to that. “-and they’re going to do scans and then surgery and we’ll see.” “Well... drat, honey. I’d thought you’d call with different news.” “Hmm?” “Never mind.” “Wait, what?” “A young man called last week, asked what your favorite food was, introduced himself to me. His name was Len?” “Oh... right.” “I take it you’re dating him?” “Um, yeah, I was. Not anymore, but we went out for a while.” “Not anymore?” “It’s all good.”
