Julian caught him.
“How bad did this trip stink?”
“Eight.”
“Out of ten?”
“Out of six.”
“Fair!”
He lasted three seconds before running.
***
Later that night, Julian carried his suitcase upstairs.
Toby followed him into the bedroom.
“You’re going again Tuesday, right?”
Julian stopped.
“Yeah. Just two nights this time.”
Toby looked toward the shirts on the bed.
Old Toby would have waited until Julian left.
Instead he pointed.
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re going again Tuesday, right?”
“Can I have the gray one?”
Julian picked it up, sniffed it dramatically, and recoiled.
“Excellent choice.”
He tossed it to him.
Toby hugged it against his chest for half a second, then tried to pretend he hadn’t.
Downstairs, Travel Dad still occupied Julian’s chair.
“Can I have the gray one?”
Toby walked over and began dismantling him piece by piece.
Julian lifted the cushions.
“So he’s fired?”
Toby thought about it.
“Temporary layoff.”
