Joe Gould watched Jim as he sparred. He thought about the phone call. Should he tell him about it? What if she tries to talk him out of the fight? The usually fiesty and talkative manager grew increasingly silent.

After his workout Joe suggested they get some dinner. Jim waited patiently as Joe sat, hardly even engaging in small talk. Once their entrees came Jim decided to go for it and ask.

"Joe, I don't think you've ever been quiet this long. What's eating you? Have you given up on me or something?"

Joe looked up from his plate and focused on his fighter.

"Got a call while you were sparring. Just been thinking it over is all."

Looking at Jim he was trying to put it all together. He did vaguely remember an invitation to Jersey just over a month ago. He also remembered talk about a girl living in Wayne. Talking about the girl seemed to bring a glint to Jim's eye that Joe hadn't seen in a while. Could he have actually gone and done it? Then there was the 2-week break where contact had been spotty. Joe shook his head, and then looked at Jim. He knew at that moment his fighter was indeed hitched.

"So Jim, hear from the little woman lately."

Jim smiled and began recalling how his call had dropped a few nights before when he suddenly stopped and looked at Joe.

"You didn't come to the wedding. How did you...?"

"Sure you invite a guy to Jersey and actually expect him to accept without an explanation. She called, Jim. While you were sparring."

Jim's face suddenly became deadly serious. "Is something wrong with her, Joe?" he asked, half holding his breath.

"She wants to talk to you. I told her I'd have you call. I am hoping she isn't out to talk you out of anything. " Joe looked concerned.

"Did you want me to drop you home or you wanna use my cell?"

Jim held out his hand to accept Joe's cell phone.

"Just call the number on the screen. I had a feeling you were going to choose that option." Joe said as he handed over the phone. He hoped he was doing the right thing. He could tell by Jim's reaction that his deduction was correct and the caller was indeed his wife. But what effect would she have on Jim?

Jim excused himself from the table and walked towards the lobby of the restaurant. There was a coatroom that might offer just the right amount of privacy. Joe watch Jim leave the dining room and wondered if that was the last time he was going to see him with fight left in him.

He looked at the screen and sighed as he pressed the call button.

The phone rang once before being picked up.

"Jimmy?' came a familiar voice with a hopeful tone in it.

"Ivy, honey is everything OK?" he couldn't mask the love or concern in his voice.

"Jimmy is that you? Thank God" she whispered and she sent up a silent thank you prayer.

"Jimmy are you all right?"

"Yeah baby, why?" Jim answered haltingly. It just occurred to him that she called Joe. That means she had to know. He looked at the floor of the coatroom thankful to have some privacy just then.

"Jimmy I heard about the fight. Listen..." she took a deep breath and paused for a moment to collect her thoughts.

"Jimmy. I love you. Whether you are a boxer, or a longshoreman or even a grocery clerk.... whatever you choose. As long as you are happy with that choice"

"Ivy. I...how...? Jim was lost for words. He had no idea how Ivy found out about the fight but he felt relieved and confused at the same time.

"Jim. I know you obviously felt you had to do this. I just needed you to know I understand and I love you and your noble sense of purpose."

"I wasn't sure how you'd feel...I didn't expect things to happen this way." he was searching for the right words and felt he was failing miserably.

"James J. Braddock. I will always be in your corner. No matter what. Remember that."

Jim closed his eyes and let the feeling of relief wash over him. He had her support. He knew he owed her an explanation but she wasn't asking for one. She was offering him what he needed most...her love.

"Baby, you'll never know how lucky I am to have you." he half whispered.

A couple came into the room to find their coats and Jim had to move to give them room.

"Ivy we are running up Joe's bill here. I'll call you after OK? Oh, and I'm booked for the flight back tomorrow night. "

"Take care of yourself, Jimmy. I'll be right here when you get back. I love you."

"Love you too, Ivy. Don't worry baby I'll be there soon."

Jim Braddock had an extra bounce to his step as he returned to the table where Joe Gould was still sitting guarding the remainder of Jim's dinner.

Joe looked at Jim expecting to have to talk him out of a funk. He was instead surprised to see Jim smile as he dug into his steak.

"Remind me I have to meet this wife of yours sometime." Joe stated as he chuckled to himself and paid the bill.