Page 46 of Inside Out

“For I never saw true beauty till this night.”

~William Shakespeare

“Ditto.”

~Romeo Bradley

“What does it mean when a lady keeps bringing over casserole dishes?” Howie asked as we strolled down the sidewalk. He led the way with Bess while Jules, Dolly, and I followed behind him. I held Dolly’s leash in my left hand and Jules’s hand with my right.

“She’s romancing you, big guy,” Julius told him. I loved how quickly they had bonded when Jules made it back in time to join us for our nightly walk.

Howie even gave me a thumbs-up when Jules wasn’t looking. “You think so, Jules?”

“She knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. She’s wooing you hard.”

“Is she a good cook?” I asked.

“Mighty fine cook,” Howie said. “Should I invite her to join me one evening?”

“Do you want her company?” I asked.

Howie was silent for a few steps then said, “I guess it would be okay. I’m not really ready to date anyone right now, so I don’t want to give her the wrong impression.”

“You can always try being honest and up front. That way she can’t read more into it than what you’re offering,” Jules suggested.

“Have you ever known that strategy to work with a woman?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Jules and I said at the same time, making Howie laugh.

“I guess that’s right,” he conceded. “I mean, I would like to date someone with a sweet disposition and great sense of humor like hers. If I were ready, that is.”

“Does this lady have a name?” Jules asked.

“I’ve known her for a long time. She goes to my church. She can be a real firecracker if the situation calls for it. Should’ve retired a long time ago but thinks the school can’t get along without her.”

I knew then exactly who Howie was talking about. “That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone refer to Priscilla as having a sweet disposition, but I recognized the firecracker comment right off.”

“I forgot she was your secretary,” Howie said. “She doesn’t discuss school business much. She’s the kind of person who does more listening than talking.”Since when?I could hardly get a word in around her. “She values that school and her job.”

“She is irreplaceable,” I admitted. “People like to tease her because she isn’t up to date with modern technology, but she knows things the computer can’t tell us.”

“I know people call her ‘The Dragon’ but she uses her ferocity to do good.”

“I agree with you, Howie.” It sounded to me that maybe my friend was a little more interested in Priscilla than he let on. Maybe he just hadn’t figured it out yet, but he would when he was ready.

Jules squeezed my hand to get my attention. I looked at him, and he waggled his brows like he was thinking the same thing. God, I was so excited to have this man in my life.

“Anyway, I’d like to invite her to share the casserole dishes she brings me, but I’m not sure.”

“You’ll know when the time is right,” I assured him.

“How’s things going with the play? Ready for auditions next week?” Howie asked, changing the subject. I told him about the latest developments. “Preserving Our Society? POS? Who trusts anyone who sets themselves up for those kinds of jokes?”

“That’s what I said,” I told him. The three of us erupted into laughter.

“That’s like an environmental protection group coming up with a name that has an acronym of COAL or PLASTIC.”

“True,” Julius agreed. “It doesn’t make these POS zealots any less threatening though.”