A dead-beat dad abandons his wife and children . Make me sympathize with him .

`` Hi honey. No I'm gon na be late. Yeah, they held me over again. I know. Love you too. Goodbye. Another gin and tonic when you get a chance.'' 
 
 Tom could n't remember if he'd hung up his phone before he said that last sentence, but he was having a hard time caring at this point. She had n't called and she had n't texted and he was already halfway through his g & t so she probably had n't. 
 
 Christ what was he doing? Here's a reasonably successful person lying to his wife about where he is. But what was the way out? More school? There was n't any more school. When your diploma says `` doctorate'' on it you're supposed to make it. But now this g & t is done. `` Another.'' and a hand motion. 
 
 Tom's pocket buzzed with an email notification. For four seconds this licensed attorney felt his heart jump. He'd finally made it. Six months after passing the bar he was going to practice as a lawyer. That's not what the email said. 
 
 When Emily woke up the next morning she found a note where Tommy's head should have been. 
 
 `` Emms, I'm so sorry. I'm more of a liability to you than a benefit. I'm basically a death sentence for Lily. I ca n't live that way. There's the next month and a half of rent in your account, but you should call the power company soon. It kills me to let you down this way, but I could n't allow myself to let you build a life with me. I'd never forgive myself. Be as happy as you can.''
