The house was empty, as usual these days. Of course, he couldn't really blame Barbara now that he'd seen where she lived, in a great big modern loft inside the Clock Tower. The child in him wanted to ask if he could come live there, too. But it was still difficult, even after all these years. No Helen, no Sarah, no Jimmy, no Babs. Just him. Alone.
He laughed at himself, starting at the ring of the phone. Tiredly, he slumped into the bathroom, pulling his tie off, slipping his jacket to the floor, letting the machine pick up. And then he heard Vanessa's voice and he perked up considerably.
He listened and, when she was quiet for a moment and he thought she might hang up, he groped for the phone, now in his undershirt, boxers and socks only. "I think we're both tired," he said, "but I know I'm going to have trouble falling asleep." Even if dim, dull rosy light had started filtering in through the curtains.