Cretaceous Sea

'I'm her papa now.'

'Her what?'

'Her papa—her father—but not like that poor excuse Greighton.'

'Her papa? You said she was a rich bitch.'

'She's not rich anymore.'

'So now she's only a bitch,' said Rick.

'Don't use my words against me,' said Joe angrily. 'Things change. I owe her.'

'Owe her what?'

'My protection,' said Joe, 'and I will protect her.'

'What's gotten into you?'

'I don't owe you an explanation. All you have to know is this—You may be the only young man in the world, but that doesn't mean you're entitled to her.'

'I never said I was.'

'Good,' said Joe. 'She has to choose you by her own free will. That means she's free to refuse you, too.' Rick looked suspiciously at Joe's shadowed face, wishing he could see his eyes. 'And choose you instead, I suppose.'

'I wasn't thinking like that at all,' said Joe, sounding in-sulted. 'That's why we need to talk. She's probably worried we're going to fight to see who drags her off into the bushes.'

'Come on, Joe, she knows we wouldn't do that.'

'Does she? You don't sound convinced yourself,' said Joe. 'Women need to worry about such things. They have a lot at stake—they're the one's who get pregnant. Con's no fool. She's worried. We've got to let her know where things stand.'

'And where do they stand?' said Rick.

'I'm her papa. You want to marry her, you gotta ask me.'

'Who said anything about marrying?'

'I did,' said Joe. 'And I'm a strict father. I won't see her hurt. Do I make myself clear?' Rick was taken aback by Joe's intensity. 'Look, Joe, I haven't really thought about it.'

'You need to,' said Joe.

Rick didn't know how to respond. The depths of Joe's feelings and the unusual form they took surprised him. They would be more understandable if Joe had declared his rivalry for Con. Yet, as bizarre as Joe's behavior seemed, it appeared benign. Maybe he feels bad about misjudging her, he thought. Or, perhaps, this has something to do with Nicole. When Joe broke the silence, his voice was friendly and calm again. 'I'm on your side, Rick, I really am. It's just that I'm on Con's side more. It's the least I can do.'

'I'd never, never do anything to hurt Con,' said Rick. 'She needs to know that,' said Joe. 'I can't just say

'I'd never hurt you.' It'd sound phony.'

'I'm not saying you should,' said Joe. 'Actions speak louder than words. Don't take her for granted. Pay attention to her needs and not just the ones she talks about. Sometimes, those are the least important.' Rick sighed. 'You make it sound complicated.'

'It is complicated,' said Joe. 'Only a fool thinks it isn't.'

'And how did you learn how to do things right?'

'By doing everything wrong,' answered Joe.