Elon sighed.

A long, irritated sigh.

“Maddie, could you stop checking up on me?”

I went quiet.

“I’m not checking up on you.”

“It feels like you are. I’m trying to support this family.”

“I know.”

“Then please let me work.”

The familiar apology escaped my mouth before I could stop it.

“I’m sorry.”

I’d been apologizing constantly lately.

Sorry for asking questions.

Sorry for needing help.

Sorry for being tired.

Sorry when the house was messy.

Sorry when Sophie cried while he was watching television.

Sometimes I wondered whether I’d forgotten how to speak without apologizing.

“All right,” I said softly. “I’ll see you later. Love you.”

He didn’t answer.

I lowered my phone onto the changing table.

Then I noticed something strange.

The call was still connected.

The timer continued moving.

I reached toward the screen.

Before I could disconnect, I heard Elon speak.