That answer might have been true.

It did not make it less painful.

Dad asked whether I had eaten.

I told him not much.

He told me to have toast, and I said I would, although I had no intention of making it.

The call ended with two people discussing bread because neither had found a way to discuss the empty chair.

At 10:10, I went downstairs again.

There was still no alarm or noticeable odor.