He said, "How's dad been?"

"Dad's been, uhhh, dad, I guess."

"He hasn't said one thing to me since I got in the house."

"Mom talked to you. He's NEVER very communicative. Old school, the fact a roof is over our head and food on our table....no different. It's fine."

"He does not even know what I am taking this semester. He could care less."

Nick sighed, and I began pointing out the needed ice cream licks. At one point I was holding his cone and sort of feeding him. He was turned toward me, unseeing. So intimate.

"I like taking care of you."

He says, "I could get used...