"That was a lovely meal honey." Jon's dad complimented his wife who smiled in return.
"Why don't you let me do the dishes while you go and relax?" He suggested. His mother nodded and got up.
"Jon, Mikey. Boys why don't you help me wash up?"
"Do we have to?" Mikey groaned but their father nodded. "And Zoe. Make sure that you've done your homework before you do anything else."
Jon and Mikey reluctantly helped their dad while Zoe headed upstairs to her room. A few moments later they heard the tv from the living room. It sounded like mom was watching some sports.
"Is mom watching sports?" Jon asked aloud. His father paused to listen.
"I believe so honey but she's had a tiring day. Why should it matter what she does to unwind?"
His father had a point. It shouldn't bother him about what his mother was doing but it was just unusual. She never watched any sports.
"Hey dad." Jon said as he picked up another dish to clean. "Have you noticed that people have been acting differently lately?"
"How do you mean sweetie?" His father asked.
"Well for one thing, that. You've started using "sweetie" and "honey" a lot."
"Have I?" His father asked and then he shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I hadn't noticed."
Jon was about to say more when he was interrupted by his phone. He took it out of his pocket and saw that he had a text from an unknown number.
"Hi Jon. It's Yukio. My dad has been acting weird."
Jon looked up at his dad.
"Um dad. Can I go? I've got to make a call."
"Is it from Amber?" He asked intrigued.
"Um, yeah." He lied. He knew he shouldn't but if it helped him get out of doing the dishes then he might as well.
His father smiled. "Ok sweetie you can go."
Jon thanked his father and headed upstairs. Sure enough as he passed the living room his mom was laid out on the sofa watching baseball.
Jon shook his head and quickly headed to his room. Once inside he closed the door and dialed Yukio's number.
