"Because you had enough to worry about."
It was a sweet sentiment, even if I couldn't quite agree with it. "So why are you telling me now?"
"Because I want you tostopworrying. So let it go, okay?"
"But just tell me. What happened?"
"Nothing big," Joel said. "We had a talk. That's all."
I wasn't quite sure I believed him. "Whatkindof talk?"
"The guy's a bully," Joel said. "So we bullied him back. Not a big deal."
Not a big deal, huh?I asked, "What'd you do?"
"Nothing he didn't deserve."
I couldn’t decide if I felt concerned or relieved. Pushingthatquestion aside, I said, "But aren't you worried you'll get in trouble?"
"Hell no," Joel said. "With allhe'sdone? He got off light, and he damn well knows it."
I wasn't so sure. "But what if he stops knowing it?"
"Then we'll remind him."
"But—"
Joel laughed. "Forget it." He pulled me closer and planted a kiss on my forehead. "It's gonna be alright. You'll see."
Desperately, I wanted to believe him. He sounded so sure. And yet, I wasn't blind to the fact that my twenty-fifth birthday was still nearly four years away. A lot could happen in that time-frame. And the estate needed a ton of repairs. Somehow, I'd have to find the money – and soon.
Even with Joel's help, it would be a huge financial challenge.
On a more positive note, I'd finalized all of the paperwork for Joel's art endowment, and after an initial period of disbelief, he seemed to finally accept that he'd won on his own merit. After the wedding, we were going to finish setting up the studio above the garage, so Joel could paint whenever inspiration struck.
Based on what I'd seen so far, inspiration would never be in short supply. Somehow, I just knew that Joel would follow in my dad's footsteps and take the art world by storm.
I smiled in the near darkness. It felt like a circle of life, completed in a happier way than I'd ever thought possible.
Joel's voice, quiet in the darkened room, interrupted my thoughts. "Maybe I should try again."
"Try what?"
"To get you pregnant."
And just like that, any remaining worries faded into the background. I felt my lips curve into a smile. "Sothat'swhat you've been doing?"
"Well, that and other things." His tone grew teasing. "I mean, it can't beallwork."
I had to laugh. "Oh, stop it."
"You think I'm kidding?"
"I don't know," I said. "Are you?"
"Hang on," he said.
"For what?"
"This."
