Page 60 of With All My Heart, Joy

“Yeah, what’s up with that? Why didn’t Leah and the kids come today?” Joy plopped onto the couch and pulled a throw blanket over her, too exhausted to change out of her gown.

Victor’s sigh seemed to fill the room. “I haven’t even told Mom and Dad. I will tonight when I head over there for the night. Leah and I…we’ve been having some problems. And I didn’t want anyone to know.”

“Victor, no!” Victor and Leah had the sweetest love story. They had been inseparable from the day they met during college, and Joy always held their love up as her standard. It seemed unattainable. “Why?”

“I didn’t know for the longest time. She was acting irrationally, always angry. Then she started forgetting everything, important or not. She wasn’t taking care of the kids well. She wanted nothing to do with me. It was bad.” The catch in his throat told her it was much worse than he’d ever say. “I suggested counseling. Things just got worse. I was about to talk about separating when she told me about her dizziness and jumbled thoughts. When her speech slurred as she spoke, I knew.” He fought for control, but it was slipping fast. Joy moved to the edge of her seat, not knowing what he was about to say, only knowing it would be terrible. Victornevershed tears or anything remotely close. “MRI showed a large brain tumor. Inoperable. I’m a doctor. I should have seen the signs sooner.” His voice was harsh before it broke. “We got a second opinion yesterday. They gave her four to eight weeks.”

Joy had no words.

“Victor,” her breathy voice finally grated out. “There’s nothing they can do?”

His throat swelled, and he shook his head. “No.”

Joy closed her eyes against an onslaught of tears. Her brother was going to lose his wife. Her nephews and niece would lose their mother. The youngest was eight months old. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so, so sorry.”

He pressed his lips together, looking away. “Thank you. You’re—you’re the first I’ve told, except for her parents. Leah and the kids are at their house today. Leah’s pain level is high. Travel is not an option. I didn’t want to miss Luce’s reception on top of her wedding. I hate that I’ll miss TJ’s wedding, but I don’t want to lose any minute I might still have with Leah.” His voice was hoarse, and he pressed a fist to his lips. Tears fell freely from Joy’s face as she stood, tossing aside the blanket, and moved to the kitchen. She knew her brother’s likes and dislikes.

The kettle sang a moment later, and she poured boiling liquid into a mug.

“Drink this. It won’t change anything, but it might give you a moment of relief.”

He reached for the cup with a faint smile. “Do I smell your homemade mulled cider?”

“The one and only. I made it as soon as I got your text.”

His eyes crinkled at the sides, with regret, not humor. Even so, Joy thought of Isaac. “I’m real sorry I wasn’t here for you so many times when you needed me, JJ.” And that nickname made her think of Isaac again.

“You had bigger problems. It’s all good.”

He blew across the surface of the liquid in his mug, then drank deeply. “Nothing else like it on this earth.” He wiped a hand across his mouth, then quirked one eyebrow, a trick of his. “So. Isaac.”

Joy froze, her eyes wide. “Um…what about him?”

“Nice try. I saw you two kissing.”

Heat washed over her face, hot enough to make her sway with the sudden temperature change. “Oh.” She dropped onto the couch, seeking safety within the blanket once more.

“I’m surprised, Joy. He’s a lot older than you.”

She picked at imaginary lint on the blanket. “I know.”

“You must like him a lot.”

“I do.”

“Then why’d you rush off like that?”

He really had seen everything.

She sighed. “He’s a counselor. How can I date a counselor and be myself? He will always be clinically assessing me and offering his psychological advice.”

“What’s wrong with that? A lifetime of free counseling.”

“Wow, how romantic.”

Victor laughed, deep and loud. Joy was glad. He had enough sadness coming his way.

“That kiss looked pretty romantic to me.”

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