Crime Time

Quinn rolled his eyes and winked at Martha. This was more evidence of Howie's ineptness at the everyday chores the rest of us took for granted.

"Let's not blow up this nice party," Quinn said. "I'm sure there's some lighter fluid around here but your grill is gas so you don't need it." He poured another wine before moving to the garage.

As the evening continued and the wine took hold, conversation relaxed to a more congenial level. Howie, only a sometimes drinker, consumed his share. Julie did not. She answered questions but was reticent most of the time, keeping an eye on Molly as if she was afraid the child would do something untoward.

Molly continued to hold Clair, even feeding her a bottle as Martha explained the mechanics of capturing mother's milk while the rest of us pretended not to listen. Bumpus sat near the two, acting like a protector and getting free hand pats for his reward.

"Molly will make a fine mother herself one day," I commented.

"Not at seventeen," Julie said quickly, and then looked as if she wished she'd not been so outspoken.

"Whatever," my wife said. "You certainly did a fine job raising her."

Julie smiled. "Molly's a work in progress but she's smart as an Einstein. We're working on her self-confidence but it's still better than her mother's.

I carefully watched Julie and Howie's interaction. Back and forth smiles were exchanged and there was an instance of a quiet remark, followed by knowing smiles. Otherwise, it was difficult to sense true feelings, at least from Julie's standpoint. Molly appeared less shy around Howie than us, acting more casual toward him as if he was a member of her family. He in turn, looked at her as if a princess was visiting his humble abode.

Howie's total conversational contributions, if not discussing his flowers, were hovering entreaties if everyone had enough to eat or drink. It was if the subject of Julie and Howie as an entity didn't exist. The gorilla in the room was finally introduced by Molly. She kept looking toward Martha until Martha asked if something was wrong.

"May I babysit for Clair sometime after I move up to Keene?" she asked, then turned to Betsy and added, "And maybe take Bumpus for walks?" Her questions evoked a quick lull in other conversation.

"Certainly," ever benevolent Martha answered in a beat. "Maybe not on your own for a few years but you'd be welcomed to help with her while I do my house work." Betsy agreed as well. Molly's smile lit up the yard.

Howie immediately began asking who needed more wine though our glasses were full. The gorilla was summarily returned to his cage and the evening progressed without further uncomfortable references to the future.