She smiled at the compliment and his hand a squeeze that buckled his knees; then changed the subject. "Imagine, not having a past. That's got to be a first. It's mind-blowing on so many different levels. I feel badly for him and he's such a sweet guy; I love him to death!"
"It's not the big deal it was at first," Howie offered, as if apologizing. "I don't care about my past now that I have a life. I'm content to just move forward."
"It's your call if you don't want to go there. I love you anyway and I've quit twisting your arm about trying to dig up the past. I still think it's a crime you lost so much time out of your life." She turned to us. "He was going to be a priest! If my mother knew, she'd drop to her knees and say a million Hail Mary's in thanks! She might even begin to forgive her sinful daughter."
Howie grimaced. "Julie's sort of a black sheep in her family."
"Actually, that would be an improved status. I'm the poop the black sheep left behind in the pen. But Howie nagged me to start bridge building. He practically made me call my brother and now I'm going up to Weston Priory in Vermont and spend the week with him."
"Julie's brother is a Benedictine Monk," Howie added.
"I haven't seen him in ten years. God, Howie, I'm scared shitless."
"He'll understand." I wish you'd let me come along with you."
"A step at a time, Hon." She turned to me. "Hey, slave driver boss man. Can Howard have an hour off to show me around Keene before I leave?"
"Sure," I answered. "I'm sorry you're not staying longer."
She smiled up at Howie and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back in town Friday. I'm staying the weekend."
We yacked the usual inanities for a few minutes until Howie excused himself to use the bathroom. In his absence, Julie surprised us once more by thanking us for referring Howie to a psychiatrist. "He's great fun company and he pulled me out of my funk when I was down in the pits. We fit together first rate but he was hurting badly. Those dreams tear him up. God, you ought to hear him moaning in his sleep! He won't about the nightmares; at least to me, but the shrink must be a sounding board. He improved big time this weekend. By the way, he thinks the world of all of you guys." Any further conversation was interrupted by Howie's return.
"My turn," Julie said as she dashed off to the John.