Anthony is very close to having another breakdown so the last thing he needs or wants is this kid taunting him over it. "Yes, it is."

"Is not."

His patience is wearing very thin. "Shut up."

He could have shut up. But James was still testing to see how far he could push. "Why?" he asked.

Anthony was fairly sure that he was going to do or say something he would regret later if he kept going on like this. So instead of humoring James, Anthony didn't respond, staring blankly at his hands instead.

That surprised him. "Uncle Anthony?"

Anthony didn't say anything, just glanced to the side for a moment to look at James. What does he have to say that is so important.

James looked shocked. "Uncle Anthony!"

Anthony didn't respond, having managed to basically just block out James' voice at this point, though whether that was intentional or unintentional was still unclear to even him. He wasn't sure whether he felt angry and annoyed by James or scared and afraid of....something, but he didn't like what he was feeling.

"Uncle Anthony!" James now sounded upset. He pushed the man's arm. "Don't ignore me!"