"Julie's not in Boston. She came up to Keene to talk to me. She has Molly with her."
"Good! That's even better. Send them both out!"
"Molly is still in school, Howie. The child can't just run off across the country."
He paused, but only for a moment. "Register her in Keene. She can stay with Quinn and Martha while Julie is out here. She'll love it, with little Claire to play with. When Julie and I get back, I'll move them both into my house."
I was tongue tied, at a loss how to respond. "Let me get back to you on that, Howie." I hung up before he could concoct some other scheme.
I was stewing over my third cup of coffee when my wife returned, with Julie and Molly in tow. Betsy looked resolved, Julie like a cow being led to slaughter and Molly smiling like a birthday girl.
"Molly, why don't you go in my office and fiddle with my computer? We old folks have some business to discuss." The young girl ran off without a word.
"How did it go, boss?" my wife asked. Julie looked ready to faint and kept casting glances at Betsy.
"Sit down," I directed. When they'd complied, I announced, "Howie want's Julie to fly out to Santa Barbara, today."
"To California? Why? Was he really angry?" Julie asked, scarcely above a whisper.
"You'll have to ask him when you get there."
"I've never flown before."
"First time for everything. Molly can stay with Betsy and me." I turned to my wife. "Is that okay with you?" I asked.
"I'd be delighted, but what about school?"
"You'll help Julie to register Molly at the Keene school while I make the plane reservation. She'll drive Howie's car back to Boston and leave the car at the airport and fly out this evening. I'll arrange for the ticket."
"But. . . what did Howie say?"
"That's between the two of you. You'll know soon enough when you get out there." I rose. "Let's get started; it's going to be a busy day."
The three left for the school office; Betsy, with a slight smile on her face, Molly looking excited and Julie wondering if she was dead man walking. Did I feel any guilt in not letting Julie know Howie's reaction to my pronouncement? Not a lick. Let her suffer the trip out.
Once alone, I telephoned Martha and explained that Howie had summoned Julie to California and Betsy and I would house Molly in her mother's absence. Yes, Howie was pleased as a kid with a new toy. Martha confirmed my suspicions Quinn was mad as hell, convinced the whole business was down the flusher. He'd opened a fresh bottle of scotch. I could hear Claire complaining loudly in the background.