Barbara was happy that he'd chosen to to be truthful rather than covering up how he felt. "That's understandable, but at least it shows just how much you care about the situation."

She got up and scratched the side of her head where the bedhair was at its worst. Howard was in her special circle where she could look awful with her unbrushed hair and it didn't matter. Only her parents in law, siblings in law, Ian and her don occupied that circle these days. Howard was very special indeed.

"What time did you want to head out?" she asked, bow standing by his side.