Four days after he turned twelve, his dad finally called.
Robby was sure he had an excuse lined up, a lame reason for why he'd missed yet another birthday. Another year passed on the planet, another broken promise from his father. Robby had quite a collection going by now.
What was it this time? Too busy with work? Nursing a three-day bender? Grandpa Sid had to bail him out of jail again?
Whatever his dad's excuse was, Robby never heard it. "Put your headphones on," his mother said before going off, cursing into the phone. Robby complied, long past caring.