"Daddy, when are you coming back?" Melon's voice grew muffled, and distress colored his words.

"The other kids at the camp, they all have fathers, and they mock me, saying I don't have one!"

Holden, attuned to the slight tremor in Melon's voice, felt his heartstrings tug. Seeking to console the youngster, he said, “Daddy shall return soon. He is here with you."

With a skillful touch, Holden succeeded in mollifying Melon's unease, concluding the call with a heavy heart.

Listening to this exchange, Devin found himself in a befuddled state of mind. Apart from Adele, who was this child calling him Daddy? And it appeared that Holden had grown quite accustomed to it.