Steve Fishman, Narrator

Since we helped set up his email, Collier's been sending Jack photos of himself, his girlfriend, his dog. But he's nervous about speaking on the phone. And they've arranged a call.

Since we helped set up his email, Collier's been sending Jack photos of himself, his girlfriend, his dog. But he's nervous about speaking on the phone. And they've arranged a call.

It's a lot. Then one day, after years of silence, Collier's phone rings.

It's a lot. Then one day, after years of silence, Collier's phone rings.

The prison's phone system is spotty, which seems like a metaphor. Will this father and son be able to hear each other, to connect? As it happens, the Super Bowl is on as Jack calls. The pair has always talked sports. And Philadelphia, Jack's hometown, is competing.

The prison's phone system is spotty, which seems like a metaphor. Will this father and son be able to hear each other, to connect? As it happens, the Super Bowl is on as Jack calls. The pair has always talked sports. And Philadelphia, Jack's hometown, is competing.

With the ice broken, they chat about family illnesses. Yeah, they're a family again, apparently. And then, Collier turns to the subject that's on both their minds.

With the ice broken, they chat about family illnesses. Yeah, they're a family again, apparently. And then, Collier turns to the subject that's on both their minds.

Jack has a halfway house lined up, but that's only for a short time.

Jack has a halfway house lined up, but that's only for a short time.

Jack is optimistic about making parole. He's optimistic about a lot of things. Apparently, Jack believes that at 82, he will jump back into the workforce, fend for himself. He must know that the parole board wants assurance that a parolee won't be a burden on society. What Jack really needs is a family member to take him in. Weirdly, it's the same situation Collier once faced.

Jack is optimistic about making parole. He's optimistic about a lot of things. Apparently, Jack believes that at 82, he will jump back into the workforce, fend for himself. He must know that the parole board wants assurance that a parolee won't be a burden on society. What Jack really needs is a family member to take him in. Weirdly, it's the same situation Collier once faced.

And so Jack asks about a subject that's constantly on his mind.

And so Jack asks about a subject that's constantly on his mind.

And then the phone cuts Jack off. Collier can't hear his dad. His words become a kind of absurdist monologue, which I find heartbreaking.

And then the phone cuts Jack off. Collier can't hear his dad. His words become a kind of absurdist monologue, which I find heartbreaking.

Later, I asked Jack about the call. His first call with Collier in years. Jack felt great about it, relieved. He felt a real connection.

Later, I asked Jack about the call. His first call with Collier in years. Jack felt great about it, relieved. He felt a real connection.

Was it? Yeah. And then you backed off.

Was it? Yeah. And then you backed off.