"I still should have been able to co come see you."
"Hey."
Her tone turns slightly firmer.
"You called and you check in, that's what counts. Plus I'm doing better now so don't bother too much."
Before I can respond, another voice suddenly shouts from somewhere behind her.
"Is that El?!"
Ivy groans.
"Oh no."
The screen suddenly fills with a familiar face leaning into the camera from the side.
"Elaine!"
"Caleb," I sigh.
My brother beams at the screen like he just discovered something exciting.
"You abandoned your family, how could you."
"I am married Caleb," I correct.
"Same thing."
Another voice joins in from behind him.
"Move, idiot."
Caleb gets shoved sideways and now Lucas is in view, squinting at the phone.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You look alive."
"Thank you… I think?."
Lucas nods thoughtfully.
"Good."
Then Caleb pops back into the frame again.
"You owe us dinner."
"For what?"
"For disappearing on us."
Ivy sighs loudly.
