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Something in Charlie made her speak first.

"I knew something like this was coming," she said, thoughtfully.

"How could you know?" he asked.

"I had a feeling it was coming ever since the night Edward Johnston lied about knowing you," replied Charlie. "When we got home from the concert, I broke his CD into little pieces! I could almost wish that night never happened!"

"I'm thankful for that evening," disagreed Adam. "It reminded me of what I had always longed to do. Actually, I'm excited about the future! I can hardly believe it, but I'm actually going to go on tour!"

"On tour!" repeated Charlie, the reality of it sinking in. "I've always thought you should. I just never thought what it would mean. Bill says you're going to be away for at least a year!"

"Charlie, I've always wanted to do this, and now I have the chance," he explained. "I wasn't ready before, but when my family found out about Wallace Shipley, thanks to you, my biggest excuse was suddenly gone. And, after Mom died, the decision suddenly became much easier. I could never have left her for such long periods of time-- not with Jerome."

"You're truly leaving?" she repeated, not really wanting to believe it.

"You're not going to start crying, are you?" asked Adam.

"I might," replied Charlie.

"You know, you're the main reservation I have against leaving Twin Yucca," said Adam, pulling out his handkerchief and handing it to Charlie.

"I am?" she asked.

"Chad will miss me, but he's past the age where I'm the most help. Now he wants to be a park ranger, not a plumber. Mike doesn't need me like he used to, either. Charlie-girl, you're the only one I somehow feel as though I'm letting down by leaving. My head tells me 'go,' but in order to do that, I need to know that you'll be all right."

"You don't have to feel guilty about going," replied Charlie, wiping her eyes. "You're not responsible for me. Besides, I can take care of myself."

"Before I go, I'll give you Bill's number. If you or Chuck ever need anything, contact him, and he'll get in touch with me," said Adam.

"That's not necessary," replied Charlie, feeling her courage returning.

"Even if you never use it, it would make me feel better," insisted Adam. "I'll be on tour for at least a year. A lot of things will change. Afterward, I very much doubt if I'll ever be able to go back to the life I had before."

"What's going to happen to the store?" asked Charlie.

"I'm hiring a good friend who is a Master Plumber," answered Adam, "to take over the business for me, and to operate it until Mike is licensed to run it himself." Adam let out a deep breath. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm leaving plumbing for good."

"Do you think you'll miss it?" she asked.

"For me, plumbing was a means of securing the family business, but I never loved it the way I loved music," confided Adam. "And I'll tell you a secret, I never did it for the money, either."

"Album royalties?" guessed Charlie, with a smile.

"Over seven million," he affirmed.

"You're kidding!" exclaimed Charlie.

"There was more, but I gave a lot to charities," explained Adam. "Anyway, I'd like you to continue taking care of the house while I'm gone."

"I think you can afford it," laughed Charlie. "But, with all the publicity, do you think you'll ever be able to live in Twin Yucca, again?"

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