Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due. (William Ralph Inge)

“I've heard a lot about you,” I offered when the time was right.

She adopted Christian's half-smile and it cut my heart.

“I don't mean to hurt your feelings but I've never heard anything about you.”

I wasn't surprised but that cut my heart too. I think she could see that and she continued, “I'm surprised he didn't say anything about you. You seem like a nice girl.”

I tried to emulate their half-smile, it seemed appropriate.

“Where did you meet him?” she asked.

“Church,” I said proudly.

She smiled her first real smile since I met her. “That's nice.”

“Well, technically we met outside a bar that I had owned at the time but he didn't see me then.”

The poor woman looked confused.

“Sorry.”

“You own a bar and go to New Hope Community Church?”

“I actually used to own two clubs and had shares in a third. That was a long time ago. Well, I guess it wasn't but it feels like a long time ago. I go to New Hope now and I'm trying to be better. I'll never be good like Christian but I want to be better than I was.” I slapped my palm to my forehead. “What am I saying to you? I'm sorry. I'm nervous and sorry and I'm not really...”

“It's okay.”