"Yeah? Where?"
"Well, uh, Chicago actually."
He froze. "So you weren't at work."
"Well, I was," I stammered. "But then I wasn't. Anyway, just listen. I talked to Claude, and even if you don't get the endowment this year, your odds for next year are really, really good. Practically guaranteed."
His jaw tightened. "Fuck the endowment."
"What?"
"You heard me. I'm no painter."
"Oh come on," I said. "Now you're just being immature."
"Immature, huh?"
"Yes. And stubborn, too. You're not even listening to me."
"Yeah. And you wanna know why? Because I don't need your sympathy. You wanna coddle me like a baby? Fuck that. I don't need it."
His words sliced through me, but I tried again. "I'm not coddling you. I'm telling you the truth."
"No," he said. "You're telling me a bedtime story. What's next? You wanna tuck me and get me a bottle? Sorry, you've got the wrong guy."
No. I had therightguy. I knew that, even if he didn't. Desperately, I tried again. "Just hear me out, okay? Claude thinks you'rereallytalented, and he's going to find you a new place."
Or at least, he was working on it right now. True, I hadn't heard back, but I knew Claude. For someone with Joel's talent, Claude would definitely find a way.
Joel's voice was tight. "What?"
"Well, the thing is…" I cleared my throat. "The whole guest-house setup, it's nice and all, but…" I bit my lip.But what? Shit.I had no idea.
But I can't have long-term guests?
But it's infested with termites?
But it's haunted with the ghosts of my dead parents?
I stared deep into his eyes, wishing I could just tell him the truth.But if you stay here, Derek will make sure you end up gone, one way or another.
And judging from Joel's reaction so far, I knew exactly how he'd takethatbit of news. The last five minutes had only confirmed what I'd known all along – that he wasn't one to play it safe, that he'd resist any efforts of mine to protect him, that he'd resent me even more if he knew thatIwas the one who pulled the endowment.
Shit.
In front of me, Joel made a forwarding motion with his hand. "But…?"
I had nothing. Still, I yammered on. "Well, it's kind of remote out here. And, you'd probably be more inspired if you were closer to the action." I gave a shaky laugh. "The big city and all."
His voice was flat. "Chicago."
I swallowed. "Um, yeah."
He looked at me like I was a stranger. "You know, if you wanna get rid of me, just say so."
"I don't," I said. "You're reading this all wrong."
"Uh-huh. Wanna know what I think?"
