It was getting dark. Paul looked out of the window and sighed (叹气). Dad said he could come home by 5:30, but it was almost 7:00. Even if Dad came back, it wouldn't be much fun playing1in the dark. Paul walked into his room and threw his baseball into the corner. He tried to do some homework, but he couldn't.
The phone2at about 8:00. It was Dad, "Paul, I'm sorry, but I couldn't play baseball with you tonight. I have to finish my work at the office. Maybe we can play this weekend. Oh, no. How about next weekend?"
Paul couldn't understand why Dad was so3. He threw himself into the sofa and soon fell asleep. His book was still opened to the4page.
The next day at school, Paul didn't hand in his homework and he5a test. Mrs. Green, his teacher, asked him to stay after school. "Paul, you didn't do your homework. You didn't pass the test and only got a D. This isn't like you. What's wrong?"
Paul just sat there6. "Paul, if you don't want to talk, I will understand you. I know that something is worrying you, but you have to get it out. You7to tell it to someone."
As Paul walked home, he thought of what Mrs. Green said. Maybe he didn't do his homework because he wanted to his dad8him. He knew Mrs. Green was right. He decided to9her advice.
When Paul got home, he10his dad. But there was no answer. Then it went to voicemail. Paul began talking, "Dad, I can't play with you next weekend. I've got lots of problems with my11. Also, I really don't want to spend another day looking out of the window and waiting. Whenever you12our plans, Dad, it hurts me. But it's not too late to rebuild our relationship. Dad, I love you."
As Paul ended the call, he felt13. He didn't know whether his dad would feel different, but it didn't matter. He himself14. He expressed his feelings to the right person. He had a15 head as he was doing his homework that evening.
