“Hi, AJ,” I say to Archer’s boss at the theatre, “this is Elle Kissinger, Archer Flannery’s recovery coach from Allied Recovery Assistance.”
“Yeah, yeah,” AJ replies amidst a cacophony of background activity. “How ya doin’?”
“I’m great.” I pause, gripping the door knob and twisting it. “I’m looking for Archer. He didn’t pick up an extra shift or anything today, did he?”
“Nah, sure didn’t. Actually—” AJ cuts himself off to shout a series of swear words at someone and then clears his throat loudly. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“No worries.”
“Yeah, actually, he hasn’t been in to work this week.”
My stomach sinks, and I reflexively clutch the small bump. “Oh really.”
“Yeah.” AJ heaves a sigh. “And I know he’s been workin’ hard to take care of his shit and turn his life around, so I’m gonna cut him some slack and not can him immediately, but I mean… if he ain’t comin’ to work, I can’t really keep him on, y’know?”
“I completely understand, AJ,” I say apologetically, rubbing my forehead. “I’ll find out what’s going on and keep you updated. I really appreciate your patience and understanding with him.”
“You bet. We’ll talk to you later.”
I end the call and check for a text message.
There isn’t one, and I call Archer’s NA sponsor.
“Hi, Palmer,” I say after he picks up, “this is Elle Kissinger, Archer—”
“Oh hey, Elle.” He huffs loudly. “I know whyyou’recalling me.”
“Oh no.” I lean against the door, andJesus Christ, Archer, WHY? “Has he not been to the meetings?”
“He hasn’t.” Palmer’s voice is barely-restrained anger. “I haven’t seen him in about four days. Can’t get a hold of him. Been by his place, and he wasn’t there. Last time I saw him was Sunday evening, and he was pretty jittery.”
My eyes widen. “Jittery? Jittery as in he looked like he was—”
“No, not like he’d been using, but like he was anxious. Something was going on, and he was talking about being stressed about school, but his classes don’t start until likeJanuaryor something, right?”
I resist the urge to sigh. “Right.” Then I actuallydosigh. “If you hear from him or if he shows up at the meeting tonight, can you call me or send me a text or something?”
“Absolutely. Hey, I’ll pray for him, too, all right?”
“I appreciate that.”
Ending the call, I stare at the screen, knowing who I have to call next, and Ireallywish I had a place to sit down right now. I’m not going to sit on the floor of the hallwayyet, but I’m not ruling it out. And then I hit send on the next number.
“Elle.” The tone in his voice all butkillsme. Colin is a heartbreaking combination of hope and worry.Hopebecause Celia made sure he knew exactly what I was up to today, andworrybecause he knows there’s only one reason why I’d realistically call him. “Everything okay?”
My hand goes to the bump again, and I think of the picture on the ultrasound screen. “Hi, Colin. Um… I’m at Archer’s apartment for his weekly home check, and he um—”
There’s an abrupt shuffle of noise in the background like he’s leaped up from his desk. “Is he okay?”
“I actually don’t know.” I gulp and go ahead and sit on the floor because I’m suddenly a bit lightheaded. “He’s not answering his door, and I spoke to both his boss and his sponsor, and neither of them have seen him this week.”
“Sunnavafuckinbitch,”he mutters, more quietly as though he’s pulled the phone slightly away from his mouth. “They haven’t seen himall week?”
“No.” I gulp again. Pregnancy, I’ve learned, makes you extra thirsty, and right now I’ve never craved water more. “Have you heard from him?”
Colin makes a sound that’s like a grumble and a groan punctuated by a brief, sardonic laugh. “No, I haven’t, but I didn’t think I needed to worry about that because…” He huffs loudly, and I finish his sentence in my head, where he suddenly sounds like my boss again.
Because you were supposedly on top of this, Kissinger. For fuck’s sake, what is wrong with you?
