She huffed, "Don't think I don't see what you're doing, young man. Running off and not picking up calls so I'll feel sorry for you and say 'come back home, my child'? It won't work this time."
Junior whined, leaning his body deeper into the couch. "Mom, I'm not doing that. I swear. I really have been working."
"Hmm." She didn't sound convinced. "You said the same thing last month before you showed up at our door looking like you hadn't slept in days. Your father and I sent you there to learn discipline, not to hide every time things get a little hard."
"I'm not hiding," Junior protested, though his voice came out smaller. "Ethan's been… he's been working even harder. He hasn't gone home in days. I just wanted to make sure he's okay."
Then his mother's voice softened, as though she believed he was being sincere.
