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expected others to be. Guilt speared him, surely not for the last time today. When was he going to be honest with Gloria, tell her the truth? He had to come clean soon.
    Soon, maybe. But not now. Not today. You’ll think of something, some explanation. Something that will keep Gloria from dropping you like a hot rock.
    What that explanation would be, he had not a clue. But he’d worry about it later. Now all he wanted was to enjoy her company.
    Just as he was about to suggest they stroll around the fountain, Howard spoke up. “I have to go.”
    “I told you to take care of that before we left home,” his wife said.
    “Well, I didn’t have to then.”
    “We’ll leave in a little while. You’ll just have to wait.”
    Howard’s lower lip poked out pugnaciously. He folded his arms over his chest. “I can’t wait.”
    “Oh, dear,” Letty murmured fretfully. “Fine. I’ll take you.”
    “Letty.” Her husband frowned at her in disapproval. “You can’t do that. It’s the men’s room.”
    “I’ll take him,” Bryan offered quickly, to save Letty from getting any more flustered. He handed Gloria his ice cream pop.
    “Oh, thank you. We cause you so much trouble.” Letty’s hands fluttered like birds that didn’t know where to light.
    “Not at all. No trouble.” He tossed the words over his shoulder, striding to catch up with Howard, who was already hustling off in the direction of the public restrooms.
    Bryan waited just inside the door while Howard used the facilities. When the older man emerged from the stall, he headed to the sink and turned on the faucet, then washed his hands. As he lathered up, he glared at Bryan. “Well?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Aren’t you going to wash your hands?” Howard regarded him as though he were an uncivilized boor.
    “But I didn’t—” He faltered, then surrendered in the face of the older man’s disdain. “Yes. Washing my hands.” He walked to the other sink and turned on the water, squirted soap onto his palm. Bryan washed his hands quickly, but Howard took his time, smiling and humming a tune. He took so long that Bryan felt the need to gently hurry him along. “Howard? Are you about ready?”
    Howard gave a start and glanced Bryan’s way, blinking in confusion. His eyes widened in fear. “How do you know my name?”
    Bryan’s mood descended in sickening awareness. Howard didn’t remember him. “Let’s go outside. Letty’s waiting for us.” He kept his voice soft so not to frighten the disoriented old man.
    Howard averted his eyes and seemed to shrink in on himself. His shoulders slumped. His arms drew close to his sides. He crept to the wall, then scuttled sideways, putting as much space as possible between himself and the man he didn’t recognize.
    Bryan stepped back, giving the other man plenty of room, and made sure the exit was clear. Howard gave him one last sideways look and rushed out the door as speedily as his shaky legs could get him.
    “Letty!” Howard sounded like a lost lamb bleating for its mother. “Letty, where are you?”
    “I’m right here.” His wife hurried to his side. “What’s the matter? Why did you take so long? Are you all right?”
    Howard sliced a look at Bryan, who had followed him from the men’s room. “That man. He followed me. He knew my name. What does he want?”
    “You know him. He’s our friend.”
    Howard shook his head firmly. “No. I don’t know him.” He clutched his wife’s arm as though he were drowning and she was a life preserver. “Take me home, Letty. I want to go home.”
    Letty patted his hand. “All right, dear. We’ll go home.” Her gaze moved from Bryan to Gloria. “I’m sorry. He gets like this sometimes.”
    “It’s all right,” Gloria murmured, casting a worried look at Bryan. For some reason, he couldn’t find his voice.
    “Are you all right?” she asked as Letty led her husband away, comforting him in soothing tones.
    “Yes. Sure, fine.” But he wasn’t really.