"Wouldn't you want the answers to those questions?" she asked all of us. "I mean, did the scene Howie viewed really happen or is it just some wild construction of a vivid imagination."
"It didn't sound very wild to me," Quinn said. "Look what he dreamt; a woman ironing shirts, a child playing, a cat and a farmer pitching hay."
"But were they real people?"
"Of course not," Martha said. "That would be impossible."
Howie started to say something but changed his mind, interested to hear everyone's opinion. Thankfully, he seemed relaxed. I was conflicted; should I support the love of my life or be more pragmatic? I opted to keep my mouth shut. Quinn spoke up.
"If something occurs that is thought to be impossible, it either isn't impossible or it didn't occur."
I wasn't sure that bit of philosophy got us anywhere. Martha jumped into the fray.
"I'm content to consider Howie's dream a bizarre happening and move on." I caught Quinn nodding in agreement, but not Howie.
"Ben, what do you think? You can be the mediator," he asked.
My fiancée gave me a cold eye as I hesitated before answering. Thinking back, it was the pivotal point of all that followed.
"It should be Howie's choice if he wants to take this matter forward. We're here for him, whatever his decision." Everyone looked him.
"I don't know," he answered. "I've kind of given up on my past but I'm curious if this has anything to do with it."
"If you have concerns, what are they?" Betsy asked.
Howie began to pace. "I spent months being probed, questioned, talked about and made to feel a freak. Frankly, I'm petrified what I experienced last night might somehow lead to more of the same; people poking sticks at my psyche. I refuse to face that again."
I remembered the flying saucer analogy. "Howie, anything said here stays here. I'm sure we can all agree to that." The others nodded.
Howie smiled nervously. "Thanks. I appreciate your understanding. You're all great! I wouldn't consider doing anything about this on my own."
Betsy was like a Christmas morning kid. "I have a suggestion, Howie. How about approaching this scientifically?"
"It's not science," Quinn grumbled.
Betsy paid him no attention. "Test it methodically. Why wait until tonight? Ben can fall asleep in the middle of a conversation. For a start we could have him take a nap up there while we fix lunch. If nothing happens, we can eliminate one possibility."
"That won't prove anything," Quinn grumbled, "but have at it."
I smiled and yawned.
Tennessee. She was so pretty I'm saddened she's gone so soon. I'll sorely miss her frightened cries. Just thinking about her brings back the urge. I sorely wish I could keep them longer but on the road, it's difficult. Perhaps I can make other arrangements. In any event, I won't wait so long before I take another. I have years to make up, dreams and fantasies to fulfill.