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straw. For the first time in four years of living together she had stooped a little too low, dealt the ultimate insult, refusing to understand Julian’s deepest motivations. He had never given her reason to believe he could be unfaithful. Never! He never even looked at another woman, knowing that his other half was a little possessive, and touchy. What’s more, he was still madly in love with her. Being a pacifist, he preferred to avoid unpleasant discussions. And anyway, she was always so sure she was right.
    Two months ago she had given him an ultimatum: either he would get himself together to have a more “normal” life, that is, with a bigger income and guaranteed presence after 10 p.m., or he would find another apartment and someone else to share it with.
    For once, he stuck to his guns, no longer feeling the need to justify his lifestyle. He left without a scene, without protests. But the drawback was that he missed her terribly. At first he had to restrain himself from trying to patch things up. Then, when he got no sign from her, he became resigned. Maybe it really was time to turn over a new leaf.
    For two weeks there was no news from his mysterious correspondent. But he was not performing as much, either. Julian started to think that his mysterious fan had found someone else, when, coming out of the dressing room of a seedy bar one night, he saw a letter with his name on it stuck to the door.
    Â 
    Hello,
    Forgive me for being out of touch, but I missed your last show. That’ll never happen again! Maybe you think I’m a little strange, or that I hide behind these letters because what I have to show isn’t too appealing. Believe me, it’s not that. And you’re going to find out for yourself soon.
    I have to go now, but this is not goodbye. See you very, very soon.
    X
    Â 
    * * *
    Â 
    It was a big night for Julian’s band and their future. Six groups were appearing at the Spectrum, and there were supposed to be some big industry names scouting the event, looking for the next hit band. All the members of the group were very nervous, but it was a positive nervousness. They had spent part of the day setting up, each band making sure they would have the best possible sound when their turn came. They were trying as best they could to relax backstage, when Andy, who worked the front door, came and knocked. He handed Julian a letter and gave him a little wink. Julian leapt from his chair, and when Andy confirmed that yes, the mysterious stranger had really been there, in person, he pressed him for a description.
    â€œOh, I don’t know, you know me. A girl. Sort of tall.
    She was wearing one of those caps, so I couldn’t see what color her hair was. And sunglasses. But she seemed nice, for a girl.”
    Andy was not much help. He was gay and proud of it, and said that for him all girls looked alike. Exasperated, Julian ripped open the envelope.
    Â 
    Hi Julian,
    I’ll be with you tonight. I’ll be looking at you and thinking of you hard. I know you’re going to be a big success; it would be too bad if we couldn’t share it. And who knows, maybe tonight will be the night? I’m going to think it over during the show. But I promise, you won’t be disappointed when we finally meet. So ’til later, maybe. In any case, see you soon.
    X
    Â 
    Julian reread the message several times. He hoped she would make an appearance, especially if the show went well. If it didn’t, he would be in no mood to make conversation with a stranger—a stranger who was probably not his type at all.
    Finally, he put the envelope in his guitar case with the others. “We’ll see,” he told himself.
    Julian tried to concentrate on the upcoming show. The other band members were running through the various tunes to avoid any possible glitches. But Julian’s mind was elsewhere. Maybe this woman would make him forget Janelle once and for all— Janelle,