CHAPTER 233: The Hottest Gear

"OK, Barbara...you've got that look in your eye.  You seemed pleased as punch about something"

"Moi, Jeremy?  Maybe I am pleased about something."

"OK, we've had our anniversary...both of when we first met and our first date.  I've remembered your birthday...so what is it?  Halloween isn't for another few weeks..."

"The new stock is arriving today.  You know, that Carnaby Street fashion house has sent me some of their most exciting new clothing?"

"The stock that we paid quite a hefty price for?  I was sceptical when you said we should import directly from England."

"Jeremy, I know this stuff will sell.  We're heading into the Fall/Winter season and we need to freshen up our stock.  Everything British is cool right now:  The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, James Bond, Tom Jones, Mary Quant, Ozzie Clarke, Michael Caine.  This stock is what the young Mods in London are wearing and the Americans are lagging behind on this!"

"You make it sound like the space race"

"It's a culture race and the US is behind England right now.  I'm a Canadian:  I'm part English, part French and part American.  I can see things from a more balanced perspective.  Now eat up, darling...we've got to get to the shop early to set things up."

There was an air of palpable excitement about Barbara and Jeremy hadn't seen her this mix of anxiousness and excitement since she started the boutique.  They arrived in time to take delivery of boxes and boxes of clothing and then began the task of dressing the mannequins with the new items.

"It's just women's clothing, Jeremy, so just change the outfits on all our female dummies" said Barbara, getting into her role of shop manager.  

Jeremy had a sharp cutting knife in his hand and was slicing through the packing tape to open up the boxes.  He pulled out an item of clothing that was wrapped up in tissue paper, laid it across a table and opened it up.  A see-through black whisp of nothing much was contained within and he held it up to see what on earth it was...some kind of VERY diaphanous blouse.

"Erm...you're going to have to help me out here, Babs.  What is this?"

"That's a negligee, Jeremy.  It's part of an intimates collection.  In that same box should be some matching bras and knickers."

"Trust my luck to pick out underwear..." he said.  He had to admit it looked sexy and wondered if Barbara would like to model a set.

It took an hour and a half to dress all the mannequins and the result was that the female section of the boutique looked radically different to what had been for sale just yesterday.  It was a bold collection of outfits, to be sure, and Barbara was impressed by them but also had a small, nagging doubt as to how popular they would be with customers.  Just how many Mods were there in Sim City?

It was now 8:40 and there was time to kill before opening time.  Toni, their shop assistant, hadn't arrived yet so it was just the two of them, alone.  Barbara was excited at the prospect of opening the shop and having amazed and thrilled customers flocking to the boutique.  When she was feeling excited she tended to feel romantic towards Jeremy.  She took his hands and kissed them, gently saying "thank you for being a part of all this.  I wish we could just jump ahead 20 minutes in time so we won't have to wait."

 "What to do in 20 minutes?" said Jeremy, suggestively.  Barbara saw that look in his eye and smiled suggestively back at him.

"Well...Toni might show up any moment now so keep those dirty thoughts to yourself, Mr Saint!  However there was one outfit I was keen to display but we've run out of mannequins.  I was thinking I would become a human one myself and wear what I think is my favourite outfit of the new collection."

"It wouldn't be that black negligee set by any chance?" he asked.

"No, silly!  I'd catch a cold in that!  No, you wait here and I'll change out of this outfit and show you." she said, giving him a coquettish wave before disappearing into a changing room.

When she emerged Jeremy's jaw figuratively hit the floor.  He was also stuck for words, so striking was Barbara's outfit.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Ah...I...well...it's..."

"You don't like it?" she said, her glee suddenly gone and a worried look replacing it.

"No!  I mean, yes!  I mean...you look amazing!"  Said Jeremy, desperately trying to encourage her again.

"Do you think so?  This is THE Mod look!  I love the hat and the little boots as well.  I've long wanted a Mondrian dress and now I have one!"  Barbara was happy again in an instant her frown became a smile once more.

"Wait a minute...that outfit is still property of the business, not us." said Jeremy, his business mind suddenly kicking into gear.

"I will pay for it out of my own savings...I have to have it!  Everything:  The dress, the hat, earrings, boots and tights."

"I think you've outdone Suzy in the Mod stakes.  If we're ready to go, let's open up and see if your hunch pays off"

Toni arrived on the stroke of 9 and then 10 minutes later their first customer entered the boutique...but it was a man and thus the new collection wasn't what he was looking for.  It wasn't until nearly 10am that the first female customer entered and already she saw something interesting.

"Good morning, Madam, are you interested in this particular outfit?  It's brand new, from the House of Poppy all the way from Carnaby Street."

"Really?  The customer's face lit up at the words.  "I mean...it's so radical, so fab, it's great gear!  It reminds me of....erm...what does it remind me of?"

"You mean the contrast of the cream and black colours?  The Total Look?"

"A Rorschach ink blot test!  But in a good way!  I've gots to try it on!" 

"Certainly madam, the changing rooms are right along here."  Barbara was elated; an impressed customer!

 

Jeremy was likewise busy dealing with customers, all of whom were interested in the new range.

Lots of customers wanted to try things on, but there were no sales yet.  Barbara, Jeremy and Toni were all busy serving but the success or failure of this new range depended on sales and Barbara was now starting to fear that it was too experimental, too cutting edge to find success in this one city in the US.  Sim City was not as cosmopolitan as New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco nor a massive media and star driven place like L.A.

It took just one customer to determine the fate of this range.  A beautiful red headed young woman of college student age who had tried on many outfits but had yet to find the one she was truly interested in.

She said her name was Daphne and she was an amateur sleuth by trade, along with some other friends from college.  She wanted something in pink and purple; her two favourite colours and which she claimed were her signature look.  As it so happened there was one outfit in the new range that fit the criteria and it was a strapless minidress that was designed to be worn formally or at some trendy hot spot in town.  It came complete with complimentary accessories and when Daphne had tried it all on, she was ecstatic.  

She emerged from the changing room and stepped into the main shop, under the spotlights and modelled dress.  Barbara and Jeremy were impressed as this girl looked like a professional model.  This didn't go unnoticed by the other customers and when they saw Daphne taking centre stage in the boutique, it prompted a flurry of enquiries about whether Barbara had more in stock.

After Daphne had purchased the outfit, three other customers were interested in it and the stock flew off the shelves thereafter.  The 'ink blot' outfit also sold well and Barbara was relieved that at last she was making sales.

At the close of business they sat down in their little staffroom and went over how the day went.  It was one of Jeremy's ideas to install fridges stocked with food because he figured money and time could be saved if the option to eat on the premises existed.

"In the end we sold one male suit, two 'inkblot' outfits, 3 men's sweaters, 2 of those pink and purple party frocks and even 2 of those lingerie sets...in black." said Barbara, looking over her accounts book.

"At the mark up we put on those clothes we're well in profit today" replied Jeremy.  

"I knew those Mod fashions would sell, I had a good gut instinct" said Barbara.

"I won't doubt you again" said Jeremy.

"Mind you, you've become quite the salesman.  That man's suit, one of the party frocks and the sweaters were all down to you.  If you weren't already co-owner of the shop I'd have had to pay you a commission."

"I've always been able to learn new things quickly" he replied.

"Well, I'm very happy things are working out for us!"

"Indeed they are!  Say, how about we do our traditional thing and head on down to the Salty Paws Saloon for a few drinks, a little dance, some more drinks and a romantic evening stroll along the harbour?"

"And show off my new dress!" said Barbara.

"They won't know what hit them" replied Jeremy.

The sun was setting when they arrived at the Salty Paws Saloon; they had never been there during daytime but it was their regular, favourite watering hole.  Jeremy was still amazed at how fabulous Barbara looked to the point of being transfixed by her.

They had arrived just ahead of the crowd.  The Salty Paws could get very busy as the evening wore on with both people and cats...

Jeremy and Barbara noticed Eliza Pancakes was there as well...without Bob or their baby.  "Bob must have volunteered to babysit" said Jeremy.

"Volunteered?  Or maybe Eliza volunteered him?" said Barbara with a wry smile.

It wasn't long before the expected throng of patrons started showing up, some familiar, others new faces.  One familiar face was part of the extended "Foundry Cove Gang"; people who were close friends or family of those living in Foundry Cove.  On this occasion it was Francesca Griffiths, Julia's work colleague and best friend.

"Barbara!  Oh my gosh you look amazing!  Wonderful!  Is that a new outfit?  Where did you get it from?"  Francesca gushed enthusiastically.

"This is brand new...arrived at the shop first thing this morning and I had to have it.  We've got more in stock if you're interested"

"Oh I have to visit your boutique again, it's been too long.  Now can I get away with wearing a dress like that?"

"Of course you can!  Jeremy, do you think this dress would look fab on Francesca?" said Barbara as she put her boyfriend on the spot.

"Well...I mean...well...yes.  If you like bright colours and I think you do given the red and orange you're wearing." he stammered in reply.  "Let me buy you and Barbara a drink!  I could sure do with another..."

As Jeremy ordered another round of drinks Barbara managed to have a conversation with Francesca.

"How are things going right now?  How's Stefanie?" Barbara asked, sensitively.

Francesca nodded.  "We're getting there...the routine of work and school helps and everyone's been great, really great but I miss Rod so much and there are times when the grief gets to us.  Fortunately those days where I cry...and Stefanie as well...are getting fewer and farther between.  Julia's babysitting tonight and she's wonderful."

"She is...and she's great with children; has a natural rapport with them."

"I just wish she could find a good husband and start a family of her own" mused Francesca.

"You know what Julia's like with relationships...nothing romantic." said Barbara.

"Well, I'm not so sure anymore...she's been on a couple of dates, you know?"

"No way!  I didn't know." said Barbara in surprise.

"She doesn't talk about it much and the men she went out with were not right for her.  The thing is, there's a man who's perfect for her but...well...he's not around." said Francesca with a shrug.

"Vincent..." 

"Yes, Vincent.  She still holds a candle for him.  I hope and pray he comes back from the Congo to Sim City because he's the only man she's ever had genuine feelings for."

Barbara looked around the bar and noticed Eliza dancing with a man she didn't recognise.  "Oh now there could be trouble..." she said to Francesca.

"Oh Eliza, why be so blatant about it?" said Francesca, shaking her head.

After downing a second drink, Barbara and Jeremy were ready to hit the dance floor but her energy had left her and it was a struggle do manage anything more than zombie like shuffle on the dance floor.

"I think I should take you home" said Jeremy.

"Ugh, I think you should as well...My eyelids are so heavy right now!" Barbara replied.

"I'll call a cab and you can take a nap on the way home, come on, my gorgeous Mod fashion model"

They said goodbye to the regulars at the bar, especially Francesca and a tipsy Eliza (who was enjoying the attention of some men in the place), caught a cab and went home.  All the way Barbara had dozed off and rested her head on Jeremy's shoulder.

He looked at Barbara as she slept and thought about their future together.  She was the one, for sure, and he should put a ring on her finger but with only 4 weeks to go before Summer and Travis' wedding he didn't think it right to propose now because that might be seen as stealing their thunder.  Best to wait until after they return from honeymoon...but then when to plan his wedding for?  March or April 1967 at the earliest.  A spring wedding?  Maybe...

He thought about popping the question, when and where and how, all the way home whilst she slept in the back of the cab but when they got home she had woken up and had perked up a little.

"Hmmm, so good to be home" she said as she headed for the bedroom.  Before she kicked off her boots and took another moment to inspect herself in the mirror.  "Wow!  I love this outfit...it's my new favourite"

"You certainly turned heads...especially mine.  Once again, I'm so fortunate to be your boyfriend" said Jeremy.

"You are adorable and say all the right things..." she said, smiling at him.  

Like "would you do me the honour..." he thought to himself.

Barbara went towards him, threw her arms around him and gave him a big kiss.

"Hmmm, I thought you were tired?" he said when they broke apart for air.

"I was back at the Salty Paws...but now I'm feeling all sexy."

"You are, are you?  Then maybe you'll appreciate this!"

"Oh yes!  Hmmm, more!  Or maybe...we should move this to the bed?  Would you unzip me from my dress...carefully?"

"I will be the personification of delicacy"

Barbara threw her cap across the room and once out of her new dress she kicked off her boots and started to undress him.  Then they went straight to bed, got under the covers and had a steamy bit of woohoo.

Well, maybe not a white wedding now... he thought, mischievously. 

 

CHAPTER 204: R.I.P.

 

"It was a beautiful service, Francesca" said Julia, trying to find the right thing to say to her best friend.

"Hmm?  Oh yes.  Everything's been....well....as good as it could have been.  Thank you for staying after the wake and helping Stefanie and me home."

"It's no trouble at all...I'm here to help in whatever way I can.  Did your parents catch their flight home OK?"

Francesca sighed.  "Yes...got them to the airport in good time.  It was good of them to fly out here; Mom's health is really declining.  I told them not to make the trip if it would put her back in hospital but...well...you know how parents are."

"I certainly do" said Julia with a wry smile.  If Central Casting had to choose people to play an archetypal, middle aged Jewish couple who doted on their daughter they could do no better than to hire Julia's parents.

Francesca was trying her best not to burst into tears but Rodney's death now left a bigger gap in her life than she had expected.  They'd been high school sweethearts, married at 20 and she had never looked at another man in a desirous manner ever since.  She also recoiled in horror at the image of him being caught in the fire in the kitchen...

The investigators said it was an electrical fault in the stove that caused it.  Due to the cramped design of the kitchen the fire had quickly spread and soon Rod's escape route was blocked.

Francesca whisked Stefanie out of the house and then ran back inside to phone the fire department, hoping they would arrive in time to save Rod but they got held up and arrived too late.  He had passed out from smoke inhalation before the flames engulfed him.

"Can I get you anything, Francesca?" asked Julia, wanting to give practical help.

"Oh what?  No, no thank you...I'm taking up way too much of your time, Julia. If you need to go..."

"You're not.  I'm here to help you and Stefanie...and, well, the dog as well..."  she said, noticing that little Boris the bulldog was sitting right next to her and watching her intensely.  

"I really appreciate it but you don't have to..."

"Your parents live far away and your mother's health isn't great and you don't have any other family in Sim City:  But I like to think I'm a close friend..."

"You're more than that, Julia.  Your my best friend...after...Rod...." and at that moment the tears began to stream again.  Francesca got up to her feet and went to Julia for a hug.  Even though Julia was awkward with physical shows of affection she overcame her resistance this time.  Francesca cried and smiled at the same time.

"I miss him so much already!" she gasped.

"I know..." said Julia, in consolation.  Once they had stopped hugging they went to sit down on the couch and continued their discussion.

"How's Stefanie doing?" asked Julia.

Francesca drew a deep breath "She's struggling...understandably...but there's a lot of anger there, Jules.  Every so often she just blows her top"

"Does she know who's she's angry at?" asked Julia.

Francesca shook her head.  "The Fire Department...God...me...she's not like that all the time but every so often she just flares up."

Julia thought hard about this; she had come to think of the little girl almost as a relative and was very fond of her.  "Do you think it might help if I spent some time with her?  Just talking, helping her process her grief?" she said.

"I'm sometimes at my wits end so, yes, please do...she likes you very much and I'm sure she'll listen to what you have to say"

"I'M SICK OF PEOPLE TELLING ME TO CALM DOWN!" Screamed the little girl at Julia.

"Well...it might help if you did..." 

"HOW?  HOW IS IT GOING TO HELP?  DAD'S DEAD!  The stupid Fire Department killed him!"

"That's not true, Stefanie.  They tried..."

"NO THEY DID NOT!  They didn't come!  Not until...." and she clenched her fists tightly until they turned white.

Julia knew Stefanie didn't need to complete that sentence.  By the time the firemen had arrived Rod was already dead.  Julia processed what she was seeing and hearing from Stefanie and had a thought:  There's no point right now in trying to get her to calm down and act the part of the sweet, dutiful little girl when there was real anger there.  Although Julia had only done one small course in child psychology she had always had a knack for understanding children that went beyond her training.  

"Do you know something, Stefanie?  You're right.  They didn't do their job properly that day and it cost you and your mother dearly.  You shouldn't just 'calm down'; you should let it out." Julia said.

"Really?"

"Yes.  Tell me what you're really thinking right now..."

Stefanie paused before she suddenly started stamping her feet and shouting again "That's it's NOT FAIR!  Why MY daddy?"

"Of course it's not fair.  I'll tell you a true story...last week we had a little girl, similar age to you, in the hospital and she was really sad and angry as well.  Her dad was a pilot and he was killed on a mission in Vietnam so she's really frightened, angry and missing him so much as well.  You're not alone, even if you sometimes think you are."

Stefanie looked up at Julia and said "How is she now, this little girl?"

"Well, she's joined a group of families who have lost a mother or father recently and who need support.  Now this girl realised that there's one other person who is grieving and very sad and who needs her help as much as she does."

"Who is that?"

"Her own mom and I think your mom needs a lot of help as well.  I can give a little but you can give a lot.  You must help each other...."

Stefanie went quiet and gave Julia a questioning look.

"Think about your mom for a moment...right now she has to organise everything, look after you and your dog and on top of that she's going to have to go back to work soon.  She would really welcome your help...that doesn't mean you can't be sad or angry and it might mean your mom will get really sad and angry some days but you have each other; you need to give each other support."

"And if you want to let it all out and just scream....give me a call" Julia added.

The little girl was moved by Julia's compassion and understanding.  There was a boy whose dad was in Vietnam and he worried about whether he was going to make it home so Julia's words struck a chord.

Stefanie went back to the lounge and saw her mother standing there, ostensibly filling Boris' food bowl up but she could see sadness on her face.  "Hi, Mom...you OK?" she said.

Francesca turned to look at her daughter and said "I heard you shouting, earlier.  Are you being nice to Julia?"

"Yes Mommy...I just lost my temper a little"

"A little?"

"OK, maybe more than just a little..."

Francesca's scowl turned to a smile as she beheld the sweet honesty of her daughter.  "Come here, poppet" she said as she crouched down to give the little girl a hug.  "We'll get through this together...the two of us"

Boris let out a little yelp.

"The three of us, Mom?" said Stefanie.

Julia watched mother and daughter hugging one another and said, softly.  "I'll leave you two to it.  If you need to call me, just do so anytime."

"Thanks, Julia" said Francesca with a kindly wink.

Julia grabbed her shoulder bag and left the house to make her way back to Willow Creek.  There was some hope there; on the day of Rod's death she seriously worried about Francesca's state of mind, as if she was capable of self-harm, but now the grieving process had begun she knew that Fran would focus her attention on helping Stefanie.  However, Julia felt completely drained and needed some company.

She headed down to the Blue Velvet.  She wasn't expected to perform today but she just wanted to go there and see if there were any of her friends present.  

Down over at the bar was one of them:  Jeremy.  She walked over to him and saw he was struggling to place a drinks order as it was getting very crowded there.  He noticed her approaching and waved.

"Hi Julia...it's really crowded in here tonight.  Say, you look all smart..." 

"I've just come from a funeral" she replied, sombrely.

"Oh...I'm sorry, I forgot that was today.  How did it go?"

Julia breathed in before answering.  "Well, better than I expected.  Francesca's bearing up although there were times when I could detect she was on the edge of breaking down but she's tough:  We've seen death before at work..."

"I tell you what...I'm buying this round so let me include you.  What are you having?"

"A large glass of red wine, please."

"OK..." he said and, again, he waved his $10 bill towards the barman to attract their attention.  In the meantime Suzy had spotted Julia and came over to where she and Jeremy were standing.

Suzy didn't say much, she leant in and gave Julia a hug and whispered "How's your friend?"

"It's so difficult for her and her daughter but I think she'll come through" replied Julia.

Suzy nodded and said "good, good...well, why don't you hang out with us and unwind for a bit?"

Julia gladly agreed to stay on and switch off from the tragedy for just a brief moment, even playing a song on the piano not for her own personal gain but to celebrate Rod's life.  The patrons even dug deep into their pockets to donate to his widow and child.

The sun was setting late, around 10pm when Julia got home, tired but hopeful for her friend.  Her feet were aching in the smart shoes she wasn't used to wearing as well.

She was just about to kick off her shoes, take off her dress and hang it up to take to the dry cleaners when there was a knock at the door.  

"Who's this at this hour?" she sighed to herself, before going to the door.  To her surprise it was Francesca, who had changed out of her mourning dress and into something more casual.

"Fran...what's the matter?  Are you OK?  Is Stefanie alright?"

"Yes, she's fine...we're all doing OK given the circumstances.  Some neighbours who have a child the same age are looking after her.  I really wanted to swing by and say thank you for all your support."

"You didn't have to come all the way down here to tell me that."

"I know, I know...but some things are best said face to face....I hope I'm not keeping you awake; it's been a long day for all of us."

"I was going to go to get changed and soak in the bath before bedtime but I don't mind you visiting at all.  Anytime, Francesca, I mean that."

"Thanks, Jules.  Sometimes it just hits me...Rod isn't here anymore!  I'm 28 years old, years ahead of me, Stef's got at least another 10 years of education to get through and I'm going to have to look after her...and me...and keep my mid-level paying job, and fulfil the role of two parents and...and...the thing is, Jules, Rod and me were intertwined:  We'd known each other since we were teenagers.  We could finish each other's sentences, I've never loved another man in my life and that love has gone!  It's like a part of me has gone!"

Julia didn't respond immediately and she didn't know where to begin...certainly not with a facile piece of encouragement.  "Come inside, talk to me about it some more..." she said, gently touching Francesca on the arm and guiding her inside.

CHAPTER 203: All Dressed Up

With Julia's latest promotion she could afford to purchase a stereo record player.  Now she could enjoy fine recordings of her favourite classical composers plus her growing interest in progressive jazz.  As she listened to one of latter her thoughts turned to how she was going to enjoy her day off from work.  She was wearing her newest, most fashionable outfit:  One that she was nervous purchasing at first because it was the height of Mod fashion and attracted attention from onlookers and that made her uncomfortable but now, wearing it for the third time, she felt something she often didn't feel...feminine and alluring.  The latter emotion being almost unknown to her, she definitely wasn't used to feeling that and didn't know if she liked the feeling either...but as she smoothed her miniskirt and stroked her long, loose hair she was aware that, like it or not, she felt a desire to succumb to these sensations.

This afternoon she was due to play a set at The Blue Velvet nightclub...her talent for playing the piano had now secured her a semi-professional residency there and she was making some decent additional money as well.  This was one of the reasons she was dressed in her latest threads but there was something else going on in the recesses of her mind as well:  Maybe impress a guy or two with more than just her brains?  Not any guy, lounge lizard or barfly she might encounter but a smart, well educated man like Dr Vincent Bledsoe or her recent acquaintance, Blair Herrick.  As Vincent was still in the Congo he was a non-starter but after her set she thought about doing some medical research up at Britechester University so maybe Blair had some free time to meet up?  Maybe...

But she didn't want to be couped up indoors this morning either.  She decided to get out and about and see what adventures she would have along the way...if there were such adventures.  Maybe not grand ones but little ones, mini ones, easily handled ones...that was more to Julia's liking.  She stepped out of her house and as soon as she turned the corner she met little Stefanie Griffiths...daughter of her good friend, Francesca.  Stefanie took a shine to Julia after she had cured the little girl of a particularly nasty illness and ever since then she talked about how, when she grew up, she wanted to be a great doctor like her "Auntie" Julia.

"Good morning, Stefanie, are you off to school?" asked Julia.

"Yes...today we've got art; that's my favourite lesson" the little girl replied.

"No wonder you look happy.  How are mum and dad?  Are they doing anything special today as I know your mummy has a day off as well as me?"

"No, they're at home...we got a new puppy and Dad's trying to train him and later he's going to cook us all his favourite meal.  He doesn't cook often and knows two recipes but he treats us once in a while."

Julia laughed.  "Your dad's so much fun...I might call around and see them for a bit.  You have fun at school, learn lots of things and be good."

"See you later, Auntie Julia!"  said Stefanie, waving enthusiastically at Julia before walking off.  Julia smiled and wondered what it would be like to raise a good girl like Stefanie...before checking that thought as it involved husbands, settling down and...ugh...'woohoo' to coin the popular term.

Julia made her way over to Francesca's house and saw her husband, Rodney, out front playing with a little dog.  She remembered that Francesca had mentioned getting a new dog about a couple of months ago but it didn't really register at the time as Julia was very indifferent to dogs and pets in general.

"Hello, Rodney...so is that your dog?" she said on greeting him.  The dog was a squat little thing; possibly a pug or a bulldog, Julia didn't know much about breeds, who was sitting there and watching with fascination as a slug slithered by on the front driveway.

"Yep...this is Boris and I'm trying to teach him to sit, come here and bring back this rubber ball when I throw it.  I've achieved about a 50% success rate with that so far." said Rodney.

"I...see..." said Julia, attempting to make some small talk about dogs.  "He seems...nice"

"Oh he is; overall he's a good puppy if you don't mind the odd hurt hand when he play-bites or his muddy paw prints all over the carpet or on your clothes...oh, look, he's noticed you talking to me and wants to meet you.  Look at his little tail wagging!"

"Is that what it's doing?" said Julia, noticing that the tail was so short it wasn't so much wagging and more like Boris' entire bottom wobbling.

Boris sniffed Julia's feet, which made her wince, before attempting to leap up on his back legs with his front paws flailing at her legs.

"No!  Stop that, doggy!  I don't like the claws!  These are brand new tights!" she exclaimed, backing away.

"He wants to hold hands with you, Julia" said Rodney, calmly.

"I...don't think I can do that!" she replied, nervously.

"OK, just be firm...but kind...with him.  Just say 'sit' in a firm voice and point upwards."

"Oh...uhm...SIT!  Oh, he's done it..." she said, surprised that her stern tone of voice had worked first time.

"There you go, you're a natural at this.  And little Boris likes you as well..." said Rodney.

"I'm not sure he likes me" replied Julia.

"He definitely respects you.  Who's a good dog?  You are!  Come here, Boris, I have a treat for you for being a good, obedient doggie!" said Rodney, reaching into a pocket in his suit jacket and pulling out a little dog biscuit.  Then he crouched down, patted the ground before him and Boris came trotting over to get the treat.

"I tell you, Julia.  He's been a little blessing in our lives and it's only been a couple of months." said Rodney, patting little Boris.  "I never knew he'd be so much fun when we got him.  Stefanie loves him, of course, and he treats Fran like a mother.  Speaking of Fran, she's inside and would love to have a gossip with you."

Julia smiled and said thank you but before she went inside the house she turned to Boris and said to him "good dog".

Inside the small, but immaculate, house they lived in she found Francesca; who had just turned off the TV so she could greet her friend.

"Julia, so nice to see you.  Is this a social call?" 

"Yes.  I have a free morning before I play a set down at the Blue Velvet club this afternoon so I thought I'd come and visit you.  I've just chatted with Rodney and met your dog."

"Ha, Boris.  I hope he was a good dog to you"

"I don't know much about them but he seemed to be reasonably well behaved." said Julia.  Francesca motioned towards the couch for Julia to sit down.

"Lately at work it's been so busy we can only talk shop...now we can catch up on what's happening.  So the piano playing is going well, is it?"

Julia nodded.  "Yes...I have two sets a week now.  On my wages I don't really need the extra money but it's nice for my nest egg and I really enjoy playing."

Francesca looked Julia up and down.  "It looks like some of that extra money is going on your wardrobe.  You look fabulous and I love the long hair look; it suits you" she said.

"I should say so!" said Rodney, who had entered the room with little Boris trotting beside him.  "Dare I say it; are you seeing a special someone later on?"

Francesca shot him a cross look.  "Rodney!  Looking nice and fashionable isn't just about attracting a date...Julia's a lot more sophisticated than that!"

"Oops, I'm sorry!" he grimaced.

"That's alright..." interjected Julia.  "Both of you are basically correct.  I want to look nice for my set this afternoon and...well...I've met a man who is...interesting."

"Oh do tell!" exclaimed Francesca.  "Is he nicer than that louche city guy you went on a date with?"

"He's a PhD student, his name is Blair and he seems intelligent, polite, generous..."

"Yes, but is he a dish?" said Francesca, rolling her eyes at Julia's primness.

"By all reasonable metrics he is attractive for a man" said Julia, maintaining that primness in her conversation.  "I think he's good looking, not that I base my judgement on men by attractiveness..."

"No, of course not" said Francesca, only half believing her.  After all, Julia had a massive crush on Vincent Bledsoe who was an absolute hunk of a man.

"Well, I hope you have fun this evening, Julia.  I must confess my knowledge of the dating scene is out of date:  Rod and I were high school sweethearts and we've been together ever since."

"And now you've got a wonderful daughter and...that dog" said Julia, still wary that Boris will leap up on her at any moment.

The two of them talked for a couple of hours about work, Dr Murakami in particular, music and how Stefanie was getting on at school.  Rodney made some lunch for them whilst they nattered...one of the two recipes he knew was sandwiches.  After some time spent at the Griffiths' house Julia had to move on to the Blue Velvet for her piano set.

The place was busy for a weekday afternoon, which was a good sign in that it usually led to more tips for Julia.  The set went without a hitch; Julia's confidence was growing with each gig she did and even though she didn't work a crowd, like her friend Joelene did when they did one of their duets, she made up for it with her smooth playing style.  Her choice of outfit to wear put her more in line with the other female patrons there and she didn't feel so out of place.  She was blending in so well, in fact, that even her neighbour and friend, John Action, didn't spot her among those lining up at the bar to get a drink.

 "Hello, Action.  Did you catch my set?" she asked, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Wait?  What?  Who's that?" he said, spinning around and seeing Julia.  "Never approach me from my gun side, woman!" he exclaimed.  He looked around the room for a moment, tilted his head slightly to the left to loosen the pinched nerve in his neck and looked her up and down.  "Dang it, I almost didn't recognise you, Julia.  Looking more with it than you normally do...was that you playing back there?" he said, jerking his thumb towards the piano.

"It was...did you like my playing?" 

"Yeah, pretty damn fine.  Hey, let me get you a drink while you're here:  On a day like this you need a bit of bar presence to get served and they know me well enough to know not to keep me waiting too long." He said, producing a $5 bill from his pocket and brandishing it towards the barman.

His tactic worked and he ordered drinks for them both.  Handing Julia a gin and tonic he raised his glass and said "here's to a great set...so, what's the lowdown in your life?"

Julia took a sip of her drink before answering.  "Here...the hospital...and not much else to be frank"

"Well that's a shame; you shouldn't be all work and no play"

"What about you, Action?  You seem very dedicated to your job"

"I am...but I play as hard as I work.  I need to switch off from all the stuff I have to see and deal with or else I'll jump off the deep end.  I have my fitness drills, enjoying the company of some cool cats and the love of a fine woman to keep me on the even keel..." he said, holding his hand out flat and motionless in front of Julia.

"I have my music and a few good friends...I was seeing some of them this morning as a matter of fact and I love to research the latest medical breakthroughs as well.  I take it that when you say 'cool cats' you don't actually mean cats?"

Action laughed "No...it's just street slang for the kind of people you want to hang out with."

Julia did her laughing snort at that in self-deprecation.  "Well, Action, I think I'm done here for this afternoon; I want to get to the University library for some research...I will see you later."

"Hang loose, Jules.  That means be relaxed and not..."

"I think I know what hang loose means" she replied with a smile.

From Willow Creek she headed to Britechester and their extensive medical library.  Fortunately for her, it wasn't crowded at all there; just one student at a far away desk scribbling into a notebook and a very bored looking serving woman at the refectory counter were the only others present.

Julia made some notes from a book she was particularly interested in when she noticed someone enter the library:  Someone who she hoped would make an appearance eventually...her new friend, Blair Herrick.  He was smartly dressed in a lounge suit and turtleneck sweater and walked over to a desk, produced a journal and a pen, and started to write frantically.

"Oh hello, Blair...it's me, Julia.  We met last week..."

"I remember.  Hello.  What brings you here?" he said, putting down his pen.

"Research.  This library has many very good medical books." she replied, nodding and trying to peek at his journal to see what he was writing.  "And you?  Is that coursework?"

"Yes.  I have a presentation to give at 4pm as part of my doctrinal studies.  I'm just amending the final section...I'm a perfectionist that way." he said, with a thin smile.

Julia liked to hear that he was someone who took his coursework seriously, as she had done when she was studying to become a doctor.

"I never asked you:  What's your doctorate about?" she queried.

"Oh, it's in chemistry...I'm researching the effect of different compounds on the human taste sensors and how that can be applied in the creation of food and sustenance.  Everything from TV dinners to food astronauts can consume in space." he said with a hint of pride in his voice.

"So there's commercial possibilities with your study then?" she asked.

"Yes...plenty of scope for when I leave this place" he replied.  "Now what are you researching at the moment?"

That was a tricky one for Julia to easily respond to as it involved rare tropical fungal infections that affected men's genitals.  "Oh, disease related stuff..." she awkwardly replied.

She was also struggling with the small talk and it was somewhat of a relief that members of the debating society had now turned up to discuss some proposition about immediate withdrawal from Vietnam.  

"They're always here around this time" said Blair.  

"I see...I never got involved in the debating society whilst I was in medical school."

"No...I'm not either; it's more for the political types."  He looked at his journal and tapped his pen on side of the desk as he was checking something he had written.

"Oh, I'm sorry Blair, I hope I haven't disturbed you!" said Julia with concern that she was doing the wrong thing in her voice.

"No...it's a pleasant distraction seeing you here.  But I have one last correction I have to make so I hope I'm not being rude if I ask you..."

"To leave you to that for a bit?  Not a problem, I understand" she said, feeling guilty for not leaving him in peace earlier.

She stood up and went to watch the debate.  The young woman was proposing that the US should immediately withdraw from Vietnam and the man was arguing the counter point.  Julia was only half listening as she was going through in her mind when would be the right time to sit near Blair and talk to him again?

Eventually she heard the sound of a book being shut firmly and she turned around to see Blair leaning back in his chair with the journal that he was writing in was closed.  He turned to face Julia.

"And that's all done and dusted" he said with satisfaction in his voice.  "Just the presentation now.  How's the debate going?"

"Con's second rebuttal; citing the Domino Effect" replied Julia.  She stopped paying attention to the debate and sat back down at the long oak table.

Blair shrugged and leant into the table, resting his elbows on it.  "I've got to go and give this presentation soon but I'm free from six onwards...say you and me get a drink over at Pepper's Pub then?"

Julia looked taken aback by this offer.  This was what she had hoped would happen but it was nice to hear it being said to her.

"That sounds great.  I've got some more research to do first but I will see you at six" she said, perkily.

"Look forward to it" replied Blair, standing up and giving her a little wink.

Julia arrived at Pepper's Pub at 5:45pm but was too nervous to enter on her own.  She didn't like going to bars on her own anyway, felt it was not a place for single women on their own, so she waited outside the pub, in the street, waiting for Blair to show up.

Blair showed up not long afterwards but he had changed his outfit since she had last seen him in the library.  He was now wearing a casual shirt and dark, moleskin pants and walked in an easy going swagger about him.

"Hey, you made it" he said with a smile.

"Yes, well, my research was fairly straightforward and as I don't know this part of town very well I thought I'd leave a bit of extra time to find this place...turned out I left too much time, SNORT" she said with a laugh.

"Shall we go inside?" he said, motioning her towards the entrance of the pub.

They sat at the bar and Blair asked Julia what she wanted to drink and then motioned to the barman that they wanted two.  Julia was still a bit nervous about meeting Blair here and going for drinks so she started with some small talk.

"How did your presentation go?" she asked.

"Fine...I think.  The panel are pretty tough with their questions but I think I got my main points across.  You know, you fit in well around here; this is a student bar and you look the part."

Julia raised an eyebrow "Do you think I look immature?" she said.

"No, no, please don't take offence.  I mean, here I am in the company of an actual medical doctor who's working in the real world but observers would think I'm talking with a fellow student.  I'm observing the dichotomy."

"Ah, I see." she said, nodding.  "That can be a problem at work; some patients, and other doctors, don't take me seriously because they think I'm younger than I actually am.  I'm 22."

"22?  Wow, I'm actually 25!" said Blair with a chuckle.  "I started college later because I did two years in the army, then did my undergraduate degree and now I'm working on a PhD.  You left school before I have!"

The two talked some more about their backgrounds but, unbeknownst to Julia, an acquaintance of hers had entered the bar.  Scott Urban had just finished a postal round in Britechester and needed a drink so he came to Pepper's Pub to unwind after a long, day, made unpleasant by all the assholes he had to deal with at the mail depot and on the street.  He brooded over the kind of idiot he usually had to deal with. Why did they all have to blame him when they didn't get their mail on time? He just gets given a bag with post in it and trudges around the neighbourhood...he isn't personally responsible for lateness or when letters go missing.

He looked across the bar and saw Julia talking with some guy.  He sighed; she looked so pretty in that outfit...although he did like her hair in pigtails but she was so smart, learned and good looking he was happy to see her however she dressed.  But she was way out of his league...he could tell by the way she was focussed on College Boy there and she hadn't noticed he was in the bar as well.

Julia was having a nice time with a civilised young man who, apparently, didn't have any baggage.  He clearly had an eye on the future the way he talked about using his PhD research in business after he completed his doctorate.  But now she felt happy and comfortable in Blair's presence, what next?  She wasn't a flirt, she couldn't flirt even if she tried so she had now hit a brick wall in trying to develop this friendship with the guy.  What to do next?  What to say?  It would be easier if he made the next move, she thought...

Blair finished a second drink and put the glass down firmly on the counter.  "I've had a really good time tonight, Julia, but I've got to go.  I've got another presentation to give tomorrow morning..."

"And you've got to finish your notes, I get it?" she replied.

"Actually I have to start them...but, seriously, we must do this again sometime.  All the best with your medical research."

"Oh...that....I nearly forgot.  Thanks.  I had a nice time too and we should definitely meet up again."

He took out his wallet and pulled out a business card.  "My phone number, if you want to call it."

Julia took it and reached for her shoulder bag.  "I should give you mine too..." she said, producing her own card.  Blair read it.

"Dr Julia Epstein, M.D. F.A.C.S....very impressive." said Blair.

Julia blushed and let out a little nervous snort.  "Anyway" he continued "I will see you soon" he said, putting her card in his wallet before walking out.  She watched him casually stroll out into the evening and sighed.  

Then she felt her pager go off so she took it out and looked at who was calling.  It was Francesca.  Maybe it was a question she had about tomorrow's shift so she asked the barman where the payphone was and went to call her friend.

Almost immediately after phoning the number, Francesca answered it and it was clear she was crying.

"Francesca?  What's the matter?" asked Julia.  Francesca was trying to speak whilst holding back the sobs.

"Oh Julia, thank God you called!  It's...it's Rodney...Rodney....he's...DEAD!"