And what the fuck, Elisha wondered, had Oliver Byrd ever given up for Tyler? It wouldn't do any good to say it, but even so, it was on the tip of his tongue when something else burst out instead.

"I hope to hell that Ellie doesn't decide she wants to enlist," he snapped, "because I hate to fucking break it to you, Tyler, but occasionally we parents like to fucking know our children are still alive even if they have fuck all to tell us."