Hello my darlings! Welcome to day six of Lockdown! Almost a week in already!

I apologize for no GIF teaser this week. I absolutely forgot about everything I was supposed to do this weekend. I will be posting my usual pics though in my group, so if you aren't following along there, check them out in the Fanfics for Nerds Group on FB.

Many thanks to my amazing Beta, Fran S. Sunflower, and my pre-reader, DaniDarlingxx. Dani suggested the texting last week, though the duck theme was all Edward. :D

Day 6: March 18, 2020

Edward

16:23 GMT

Aberdeen, Scotland

I'm equal parts annoyed and relieved when my dad picks up the phone. "Hey, Edward," he says, sounding distracted.

"Hey, Dad," I say, sitting back on my bed and shoving my hand in my hair. "How are you doing?"

He's quiet a moment, and the worry that's been growing in me sinks a little deeper in my stomach.

"I'm fine," he sighs. "It's hard."

I've been trying to get a hold of Dad for three days now. I want to check in on him, and not just through Mom's updates, but he's either dodging my calls or ignoring me completely. My dad has always been alive with his compassion and strength for others. I don't like the somber man I can hear through the phone now.

"What have you been doing?"

Dad is quiet again. I wonder if he's going to respond. "Nothing," he says finally. "Reading mostly, trying to see if I can get some contacts in touch with each other…" his voice trails off, and I frown.

"Can I do anything for you?"

I have never heard my dad sound so depressed.

"No," he sighs. "Just stay safe, all right?"

I think about the pub I was out at last night, and I wince. "Yeah, Dad. Of course," I say quietly. Shit. Even though I'm fairly isolated out here, I do still go out. Maybe it's time I start cutting back on that. I would feel like utter shit if I got sick and had to be hospitalized, knowing first responders around the world are struggling to keep up. "Are you still able to teach?" Dad is a great teacher, and though I know he's not as passionate about it as he was working at the hospital, I know he cares about his students.

"The university is trying to sort it all out. I've been told to halt everything." he sighs. "I have grad students who are panicking right now. I've been trying to meet with them over Skype, but it's difficult."

"Skype sucks," I agree. "What about Google or something? There has to be other video chatting options." I'd recommend messenger video, but Dad doesn't have social media.

"Yeah, we're looking into it."

Dad and I talk a while, and the longer we speak, the more worried I become about him. I know he's worried about me being so far from home. Sure, I'm low on his list of worries, but I'm still on it. It weighs heavily on me as we hang up.

hmm... sounds like our boy is wondering if a change might be best...

I'll see you tomorrow my darlings.