The Other Brother

**Days before the Wedding**

It all started when my phone vibrated in the pocket of my pants. The casino felt extra lively on that day, and everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. Anthony gave me a call last night asking if I was free to have dinner with him. Unlike his usual self, Anthony sounded worried and a little anxious as he spoke to me on the phone. Although I wasn’t certain, I could sense that there was something that he wanted to talk to me about that couldn’t be said on the phone.

I reached for my phone while half expecting the call to be from my brother. The name displayed on the screen of my phone was one that I dreaded. I connected the line without saying a word of greeting because it wasn’t necessary.

“Where are you?” my father’s voice asked through the phone.

“The East casino…” I replied.

“It doesn’t matter. Come over here right now,” my father ordered impatiently.