He doesn't really understand. He's just standing there, an ineffectual shrug of a man. I'm not sure why I just explained it all, because I knew he would do that. I didn't even bother to hope he'd smile, maybe approach me consolingly, or have anything helpful to say. But I needed to hear it explained at least.

So anyway. I'm actually watching him counting his teeth with his tongue, while he pretends to be thinking deeply. I should just get my stuff and go, but I actually think I'm almost owed the experience of watching him squirm a little. That's quite mean, I know, but I'm a little bit past caring. Not so far that I can't recognize it as mean.

"Well, that's about it then. I'll phone you when I get there"

"Yeah." He answers.

"Bye, then, Dad."