Chapter 10

We showered and I shaved while Karen fixed her hair. Marianne came with us as we left for my truck. Karen said, "You are about to learn something about your brother." I opened the door of the truck. Karen got in and slid as far to the left as she could. She patted the seat next to her. "Get in, Marianne." Marianne entered the truck slowly, her eyes wide as she realized that the interior didn't match the exterior. I went around and got in the driver's seat. I cranked the motor and the motor cranked instantly purring with quiet power.

I pulled around and left the house. We stopped at a breakfast restaurant and went inside. We ordered our food. Marianne's eyes were still wide. She said, "Not only did I not know, I never even suspected. You were hiding in plain sight, Brad." I said nothing.

Karen said, "Under that plain and innocent looking exterior, he's just like that truck. There are all sorts of interesting nooks and crannies of kindness and caring that few in your family have ever noticed. Marianne, you will need to ask questions. He just doesn't think to volunteer."

She looked up. "Why, Brad?"

"Why not? No one in the family wanted to know. I wouldn't fit the mold that I was supposed to fit. Irene will run the business. She wants it. I don't. It would be too confining. I have Karen's love and that's what I want more than anything. Other than that, I want to teach math. I already have a teaching assistant position lined up while I work on my master's degree. Karen and I will be okay."

Marianne stammered, "But-but, It's millions."

"Yes, the last statement at the first of the month showed a total net worth of two billion, eight hundred, fifty-nine million, six hundred, seventy-three thousand, four hundred, eighty-three dollars and eighty-seven cents. It's not enough to buy happiness. Karen wasn't and isn't for sale. Her love was purchased with love."

She looked at Karen. "You are a very lucky woman."

Karen smiled. "I know. I have the heart of a wonderful man with many talents and we enjoy making each other happy. Money isn't very important by comparison."

Our food was served. We ate leisurely after a blessing. The silence was comfortable.

Marianne was still in shock. She finally said, "That truck isn't what it looks like it is."

I said "Yes and no. It is grandfather's old truck. It still looks like it on the outside but the inside is what made it mine. I loved our grandparents. I miss them to this day. I try to act in ways that they would be proud to say that I'm their grandson."

Marianne said, "But the company was built by grandfather."

"Yes, but it wasn't his life. His life was his faith, his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. That is what was important to him and is important to me. Karen and I will build that kind of life for our children and, even later, for our grandchildren."

Karen just beamed. I didn't have to ask if she were on board with that. It was obvious from her look. I think Marianne felt it, too.

Marianne said, "Brad, you don't trip, fall, or spill things anymore?"

"That sounded like a question even though the words didn't ask a question. I think I was tripping through life looking for the right person with who to share life. I've found her. I no longer search. I don't walk aimlessly and my emotions and motions are now grounded in the love of a beautiful lady. I will marry her as soon as her mother and she can arrange the wedding." I grinned. "She has the hard part now. She has to put a wedding together. I bet she hasn't told her mother yet."

Karen smiled, "She knows. You talked to my father, so he told her. She is probably setting up potential dates and guest lists as we speak. I will call her and tell her that I know and said, 'yes, ' on the way to Uncle Billy's. Brad and I are going to celebrate." She raised her hands knocking her water. Before it could fall or spill, I caught it and set the glass firmly on the table. Karen grinned, "Brad is in IT now so deeply that he won't spill, trip, or drop again."