The Anatomy Lesson (Vintage International)

by Philip Roth

“I’ve been up since five. Gregory never came home. I don’t understand how Bobby accepts it. He hasn’t even called to tell his father where he is. It’s morning. It’s starting to snow. We’re going to have that storm, and big. Everybody in the world knows. The ‘Today Show’ says so. The papers say so. Only Gregory hasn’t heard. I’m supposed to go out this morning before it really starts up, but where is Gregory?” He was beginning to sob. “To snow—to snow so soon. Zuck, I can’t stand it. Two feet of snow.” “Suppose I take you. Suppose we go out in a taxi together.” “I’ve got my car, it runs beautiful—only Bobby would be furious if I went alone, especially in this weather. How she loved to look out the window when it snowed. Like a little girl, whenever she saw the first snow.” “I’ll take you in your car.” “Out of the question. You have a life to live. I wouldn’t hear of it.” “I’ll be by at ten.” “But if Gregory comes back—” “If he’s back, go. If no one’s home, I’ll understand that you went with him.”