Dead Man Calling

CADE

Hazel frowns. The boys stay tangled around my legs, too small to grasp why one name can cause such a strong wave of tension.

I press the phone to my ear, my throat tight.

“Dad?"

Silence stretches for several seconds, interrupted only by shallow breathing. Then his voice comes through. It's thin and fragile.

"Cade."

A boulder settles on my chest.

"Yeah." My voice scrapes out of my throat,