7 Chapter 7

“Marty,” Rick said when he picked up the phone. “How’s your dad?”

“He’s doing fine, but stubborn, like most old men.”

“How are you?”

“Besides the internet being piss-poor, and my dad refusing to admit he needs the help, and absolutely nothing to do for fun, I’m great.”

“It won’t be long,” he consoled. “It’ll go by quick. Will you be able to keep up with your assignments if the internet’s so slow?”

“I’ll figure out a way. I may have to call Dad’s provider and pay an upgrade fee. Anything to keep the connection consistent. It’s taken me the whole morning to download one file.”

“It’ll work out.”

I rolled my eyes. Rick was an optimist. “How are things there? I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend yours and Tony’s party this weekend. Bad timing, huh?”

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll have more than enough people without you there. But on that note, I’d heard Marco was now on the market. Too bad you won’t be able to scoop him up before someone else does.”