"Happy New Year," Carl called him at the stroke of 12. It was a video call, and Ryan's camera was on, but he couldn't see the person on the other side.
"Happy New Year," Ryan said in reply. He moved away from the living room, where he and his parents had been watching TV, and walked to his room, shutting the door behind him. If he stayed longer, they would want to know who he was talking to, and he would never hear the end of it.
"Guess where I am."
Ryan thought for a moment. "With your father?"
"Guess again."
Ryan listened carefully, trying to get clues, and heard a soft meow in the background. That sounded like Jasmine. "The apartment."
"Correct. I got the cats back from Alex this morning."
"How are they?"
"Adalia is an angel. Jasmine was as usual. She has started chewing shoes now."
"She chewed Alex's shoes?"
