“Is your father General Michael Carter of the United States Army?”

The twelfth asked if General Carter would be staying in Oak Ridge long.

The thirteenth asked if we could put aside our unfortunate miscommunication for the sake of Noah’s welfare and family harmony.

The last message was sent at six forty-five.

“Please have Ethan call me right away so we can arrange a proper family dinner to smooth things over before anyone makes a mistake.”

My father set a fresh cup of black coffee on the table and sat down in the vinyl chair across from me.