****
"Son, have you seen your father? I've been looking for him everywhere. He's not in his room," Ruth said worriedly.
"No, but he was here some hours ago," Richard replied. "Did you check the library? Maybe he's there, lost in books as usual."
"Yes, I did, but he’s not there, and that's unlike him. He never goes anywhere without telling me."
"Just try looking everywhere in the house. I'm sure the old man is somewhere," Richard said.
"Okay, I will. But what about Lyra, son? How is she coping in school?" Ruth asked, her voice softer now.
"Not so good, Ma," Richard admitted, sighing. "Chase pointed it out to me, but I had to cut him off because it would reflect badly on me, like I couldn't handle her case well... when, honestly, it’s beyond me."
He shook his head before continuing, "
