“Well the day care works out well, but I’ve already said that…” Al was really trying to sound nonchalant. “Let’s see, the twins are doing alright, they actually end up taking over the business. You wouldn’t want me to spoil it for you by telling you their gender right?”
Sam was leaning against the doorframe of a cubicle, arms crossed waiting as patiently as he could. He was trying to wait Al out, but as he didn’t seem forthcoming…
“Al.” Was all he needed to say, trying to be as supportive as he could. If Al was holding back it usually was because it was difficult for him or he was trying to protect Sam. But he was letting him know that he knew something was up, and he wanted to hear it now.
Al lowered the handlink and looked Sam straight in the eye, looking somewhat defeated. He allowed letting his friend see that this touched him personally. “He’s going to leave them, Sam.” He said softly. “Anthony is going to take off and leave them. Their kids won’t take it well.” He was still holding back details but they were probably not good news.
“Why? It doesn’t make any sense. He loves Matina, he’s got his new job. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure, but from what I can tell he has a very strong need of being needed. And if Matina is too successful, maybe, maybe that’ll scare him off. Or maybe it’s being so close to the twins and not being able to tell them he’s their father… Ziggy should come up with something soon.”
“Get Dr. Beeks on it, I need to understand his reasoning. And I need her to speak to Matina if she’s in a good enough state. ” Sam had noticed it in Anthony before, the thought of him not being the main breadwinner had frightened him and he was worried about being close to the twins. For one thing Sam felt he had to find a way of giving him a new source of confidence.
Al nodded and opened the imaging chamber door to get out.
“Uhm Al, what if I need to sign something?” asked Sam, feeling a little clumsy.
Al thought for a second “look at your passport” he stepped through the door.
Sam searched through Matina’s handbag, found a passport and sighted in relief. Easy enough, he’d remember the signature exactly and perhaps he could ascribe mistakes to being nervous.
- Uhm that's if people carried around passports back then