Page 61 of The Callahan Effect

I groaned.

"Emma."

"What? It's a reasonable question."

Jack laughed silently before typing another reply.

I'm hoping he'll put up with me.

Dad chuckled.

"A very diplomatic answer."

"It was," Mom agreed. "Although I suspect you've both already discovered that relationships require a fair amount of patience."

"I think we've already discovered communication is going to be one of our strengths," I admitted. "Because Jack can't speak, we never assume we know what the other person's thinking. We stop, we listen, and we make sure."

Mom's smile widened.

"That sounds healthier than most relationships."

"It probably is."

Dad took another sip of his coffee before looking back at me.

"Have you told Corey yet?"

"No. I wanted you to know first."

Dad nodded.

"I'm glad."

Mom reached toward the camera as though she could somehow bridge the thousands of miles between us.

"Thank you for taking such good care of our son already, Jack."

He looked genuinely touched by the words. He typed a reply and when I started to relay the message, he placed a finger to my lips and again held his phone where my family could see it.

Thank you for trusting me with him. I promise I'll do my very best.

My throat tightened. Nobody spoke for several seconds but then Dad cleared his throat.

"Well," he announced with mock seriousness, "seeing as we've officially gained another son, I suppose we'd better make plans to meet him in person."

Emma clapped her hands together.

"I call first hug."

I rolled my eyes.

"You two are unbelievable."

"No," Mom corrected gently. "We're just happy, Mason."

"So am I."

For the first time since leaving Florida, those three words carried no uncertainty at all.