The tinny ring of the speakerphone hung over the table as the line rang four times.

“Hey, kiddo,” Rory said when he picked up.

His voice sounded tinny and thin through the little speaker, buried under the loud noise of a game on TV and the high-pitched laughter of Tasha’s daughter, Madison.

“Hi, Dad,” Sadie said, holding her spoon over her bowl of chili.

“I’m just sitting here having dinner with Mom.

I wanted to ask about Saturday.”

A big, theatrical sigh came through the phone, so heavy and loud it sounded like he was standing right next to the refrigerator.