05 ⌁ Voice

[invisibly]

I can't find Johnny anywhere. He won't answer my calls, he's not answering his door. We were supposed to meet-- he wouldn't do this to me.

[There's a pause. Sue's voice gets very soft.]

... I think he may have been ported out.

[Abruptly, she adds:]

But maybe not. Maybe he's just being an irresponsible younger brother, right? Right. Okay. If you've seen him, tell him he needs to call Sue right away, that it is very urgent. Thanks.

Comments

voice, Peter's comm;

[incywincyhero]

Jessica did just get ported out a few days ago. I thought -- I thought he was spending more time with you.

voice;

[invisibly]

I thought he was with you, Peter. [A sad sigh.] I'm afraid he really is gone.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

Susan, I am so sorry. You trusted me to keep an eye on him and --

voice;

[invisibly]

It isn't your fault. There's nothing any of us could have done. Even if we were all with him, he'd have slipped away from us anyway.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

I know, I know. I just feel like -- if I'd been watching more closely, we'd know for sure, at least. It's the not being sure that's the worst.

Of course, if I had been watching, Johnny'd've been complaining that I don't respect his privacy just because he's a teenager...

voice;

[invisibly]

He did the same thing to me. Every time I'd ask to have dinner with him and Jessica...

voice;

[incywincyhero]

And now they're both gone.

voice;

[invisibly]

Yes. Your place must seem so empty without them.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

[He snorts.] Not likely, with six other teenagers running around. But it's a lot quieter.

voice;

[invisibly]

Six?!

voice;

[incywincyhero]

Don't look at me, look at Lachesis! She's the one who's brought half my social circle here. As teenagers.

voice;

[invisibly]

I don't know how you manage it.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

The power of denial goes a long way. You'd be amazed.

voice;

[invisibly]

I'm also impressed. Really.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

I haven't done anything much, really. I try to be there for them if they need me. A lot of the time just making sure they know I am there is enough, so I have it pretty easy.

voice;

[invisibly]

You're a good man for doing that for them, Peter.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

[A muffled cough.] I could hardly do otherwise. I mean, they're family. Anyway, we Parkers come from a long family tradition of picking up strays -- otherwise, I wouldn't even be here.

voice;

[invisibly]

Your family sounds kind of amazing.

voice;

[incywincyhero]

[HEH.] If they were store bought I wouldn't exchange them.