Page 93 of Range
“Oh gosh, no. Anthony is almost always running behind, even if only by one minute. I am the prompt one in our marriage. Tardiness is never on my agenda. But, we were raised much differently.”
“Yeah? Did Anthony have a tough upbringing?”
I removed my notepad and pen from my briefcase.
“I wouldn’t say tough, but very different. He’s the oldest of three. His father wasn’t present. His mother depended on him more than she should’ve. He was responsible for children half his age by the time he was ten. It didn’t get easier once they got older.
“They still depend on his wisdom, knowledge, and validation. He wasn’t able to be a child, you know, which is why he makes sure Aubrey has the best childhood. He’s been a father, in the most unconventional manner, since a young boy. Time was hardly ever a factor.
“His responsibilities mattered more to him. Because, if he didn’t see after his siblings and make sure they were prepared daily, then no one would. His contributions to their lives are something he’s proud of. His youngest brother is a cardiologist. His sister is an OB/GYN.”
“All physicians?”
“Yes. They followed in his footsteps. However, Anthony had no desire to work with patients. Not at that capacity. Pharmacy suited him better.”
“Are his siblings in Aubrey’s life?”
“Yes, but not very often. They’re lives are more of the same. The chaos they’re accustomed to lingered into adulthood.”
“Even with their careers?”
“I wholeheartedly believe it’s the reason they chose their careers. The uncertainty feels familiar. They never know what they’re going to encounter at work. The instability is comforting.”
“Did it spill into your home?”
Janeese shook her head.
“I wouldn’t allow it. Not only would it become a wedge between Anthony and I, but it would affect our child as well.”
“How’d you bring about change in Anthony’s world?”
“He was a willing participant. He wanted to change. He wanted to regulate his nervous system. He wanted predictability. Routines. Roles.”
“Has he ever left home without you hearing from him?”
Silence.
“For days? For a day? For a week? A month?”
Silence.
“Janeese. This is important.”
With her thumb and index finger against her lips, she nodded.
“He has?”
“Is that why you didn’t reach out to the police immediately?”
“Anthony is a good guy, you know. But, like anyone else, he has his flaws.”
“Gambling?” I offered, choosing to reveal bits of information I was privy to.
She nodded again.
“It was ‘controlled’ chaos according to him. But, the first time he went missing for two days, I knew that was the furthest from the truth.”
“How extensive was his longest binge?”
