Jim was concerned about how changed Ivy was since their conversation about returning to New Jersey. She was always quiet but she seemed unnaturally so now. She hadn’t smiled or participated in much and her appetite was definitely affected. She hadn’t eaten much more than toast in 2 days. When Ivy complained of a headache, Jim suggested a nap. That is when he decided that he needed some advice.

It took a few minutes to get the call connected, he hoped he hadn’t miscalculated the time difference too much and called at a bad time. A female answered after a few rings, "Hello?"

"It’s Jimmy is Al there?" He heard a muffled call to Al "Al, it’s your brother Jim on the phone. Hold on Jim he’ll pick up in a second."

"Hello Jim! Are you back home now?"

"No Al. We’re still in Australia. Look I need to run something past you. Ivy doesn’t want to come back, she wants to move here. But then she tells me took book the flight back home. I just don’t know what to do."

Al was quiet for a moment. ‘Jim what do you want to do? Seems to me you have to be the one to make the decision."

"Al I don’t want to tell her No. But at the same time, everything is back in Jersey."
"Jim. What are you really asking me? "

"Not sure I am following you Al. I am trying to decide what to do about Ivy."

" Well seems to me if you wanted to come home you would have booked the flight back and would be either here or on the way. You’re still in Australia. So maybe it has to do with more than Ivy wanting to stay. I think you want to stay too."

"I want her to be happy Al. She isn’t eating much since we had our discussion about this. She says it is easier to not worry about everything else here. I found out around Christmas her brother isn’t too crazy about her being married to a boxer or at least not to me."

"Jim do you think maybe there are things besides her brother bothering her? Things that will be unavoidable here in New Jersey?"

"Al don’t you think once she settles in the house she will be OK?"

"Do you think she will ever be able to settle in? Jimmy the house has history. Did you ever even bring her there before you two got married?"

Jim took a moment to digest what his brother was saying. "No", was all he could get out in response.

"How was it staying in the house while you were back for the fight?"

"It felt empty Al."

"Jim. Look you have to make this decision for yourself. I know you know where I am going with this. All of us here want you to be happy. You have a shot at that with Ivy. If you like it, why not give it a try down under. Why come back here and have constant reminders. Why do that to Ivy? Instead of letting her try to live up to what Mae was, let her just be herself. It doesn’t mean you are forgetting them Jim. Just moving forward."

There was a knot in Jim’s stomach at the mention of Mae. It was the first time he had heard a member of his family mention her or the kids since the funerals. It replayed in his head how Al had been at the house waiting for him when he got back from…where was it Wisconsin, Kansas? He had been on a publicity trip as heavy weight champion; he gave an award to a spelling champion or something. How many times had he thought if he had been driving things would have been different.

"Jim. Jim?" Al was trying to get his attention. "Yeah, Al." his voice sounded rusty even to him.

"Jim I know we are Irish Catholic and therefore predisposed to guilt. It wasn't your fault. Look I have heard Ivy tell Mom she sees you as a gift from God. I think she is just that for you. A gift Jimmy. Ultimately it is up to you and Ivy. Don't let family stand in your way. We can all come visit."

Jim was quiet for a long moment. "Jim I'm going to let you think on it. I'll pick you both up at the airport if that is what you decide. Just think on what is best for you and Ivy both now and in the future. Don't worry about anyone else. Tell Ivy we send our love." With that Jim knew Al was hanging up the phone and he followed the cue. Leaving the lobby of Millie's Jim headed out towards the community park. Somehow he always ended up in the park when he had things to think about.