Edwin, older and with a touch more insight into grown-up affairs, entered with a hint of a scowl.

"Hey, dad," he greeted Mark, but then fell quiet.

Mark, sensing something amiss, inquired, “Everything okay?"

Meeting Mark's gaze briefly, Edwin murmured, “Now that you're grown-up, can you, I don't know, take care of yourself? So mom doesn't have to fret so much?"

A chuckle escaped Mark, though a tender sentiment swelled within him.