It was a Monday evening. Outside, the clouds hung heavy, but there was only a light drizzle. The day's light was fading.

The credits of the show Norman had been watching began to roll. He looked down at his TV dinner; it was chicken and rice. "It wasn't quite as good as the ravioli," he thought. Norman the cat, laying next to him, stared hungrily at the remaining bits.

A strange impulse came over Norman. He quickly picked up the phone from the cluttered end table and dialed his son's number. It started to ring.

"I wonder how he's been," he thought with a little smile on his face.

The phone rang again.

"Then again, if he hasn't called in so long, he must be doing well."

The phone kept ringing.

"He usually only calls if he needs something. I'm sure he's out with friends."

He ended the call and put the phone back on the end table.

Norman thought back for a moment, but couldn't remember what show he had just watched. Norman the cat sat up to lick the TV dinner tray. The next show's intro started playing.

It started to rain.