Chapter 15
“It’s happening,” Paul says into the telephone.
Thankfully, both Toms are on the other end of the line—so the younger Tom can nudge the elder in the right direction, on hearing Paul’s news.
“The art editor at Harper’s wants all twenty of her pictures—all the ones I showed you, Tom.
” There’s a long silence on the other end before TJ speaks.
“That’s—that’s really something, Paul. Wow. When can I see them?”
Paul glances down to where the portfolio leans against the foot of his armchair.
“I’m sorry, Tom, but I’ve had to leave them at Harper’s.
I wasn’t expecting to, but they need them.
The issue will come out in about a month, so they’re ramping up production.
” He says this to make it true, to make it impossible for Tom Senior to say he won’t let it happen.
But he doesn’t want TJ to see the pictures anyway, just in case he reacts the same way his father did.
He won’t risk losing TJ’s support, not now.
Better to leave him in the dark and let him see the photographs when they’re beautifully and irrevocably printed in the pages of Harper’s.
“I want TJ to see them before the issue comes out,” Senior says, gruffly.
“I know, Tom, and I’m sorry about this. I wish I could—”
“You need to call this Marty fellow and tell him to let TJ come by.”
“Dad,” TJ interjects. “It’s okay. Really.
I trust Paul, and I trust you, too. You’ve seen them.
You’ve approved them. I’m sure they’re all right.
I’m not exactly an art expert, anyway.” He chuckles, and Paul joins him.
He’s so grateful for this easy, pleasing man, he could cry.
He’s grateful, too, to have heard Tom Senior say a string of magic words: before the issue comes out.
He isn’t putting himself in the way, even though he’s displeased.
He’s accepting it, allowing it all to happen.
Things seem solid enough for Paul to tell them next about Marty’s generous offer: $1,000, which he’ll split 30/70 with them, as agreed.
He tells them he’ll have “his lawyer”—an old friend from college who’ll do him the favor for a minimal fee—draw up a contract detailing the 30/70 split.
Paul will make sure the contract covers all of Judith’s work—not just these few photographs—and that Paul is listed as the caretaker of said work, though he doesn’t mention this now.
There are big things ahead, whether Tom Senior likes it or not.
Both men seem uncomfortable at the mention of money and the contract, but there’s no outburst of anger, no denial or refusal. They’re accepting it; they’re going with the flow.
“I can’t really believe it. Mom in Harper’s. Holy cow,” TJ says.
“And not just ‘in’ Harper’s,” Paul adds enthusiastically.
“She’ll be featured in the issue. The focus of it.
And on the cover, too. Not sure which photograph they’ll use—they’ll let me know soon, I imagine.
” TJ gives a low whistle and Paul risks saying that he sees this as an incredible way to preserve and honor Judith’s memory.
“And her last wish,” TJ adds.
“Absolutely.”
“She really said that to you? She really said she wanted this?” Tom Senior speaks right into the phone, right into Paul’s ear. Paul pulls the receiver slightly away for some distance. He clears his throat.
“Yes, Tom,” he says firmly. “This is exactly what she wanted.” The lie has become so real to him, so true, that the scene unfolds easily in his mind: Judith approaching in her quiet way, requesting his help.
She’s wearing her long, camel-colored coat with a soft blue scarf, her brown hair done up in a tidy bun.
She looks serious, a bit scared. Paul smiles and claps his hands together when she tells him what she wants—which is also what he wants. They’re in total agreement.
“All right,” Tom Senior says, dispelling the joyful imaginary scene, and then Paul knows he’s done it—he’s won.
He doesn’t push it by adding the news that he’s writing the introduction—it might complicate things; Tom Senior will surely have issues with anything and everything he writes.
Instead, he thanks them both and tells them he’ll stay in close contact, though he hopes to keep his distance from now on.
When he hangs up, he blows smoke rings in the air for a long while, luxuriating in the solid double triumphs of the day: winning Marty over, and then locking down the Stanley men.