December 28th, 1970

    I had to admit that I’d felt slight worry when Cameron told me of his plan. He would be gone for most of the day, picking up various alcohols for our New Years party. I’d spent my early life living only slightly above the poverty line and even when adulthood brought me a job and a steady flow of income, the fear of overspending was still with me.
    The Missing Persons tour had been quite successful and the band had made good money, but it took Cameron to convince me that we could spend money and not be in fear of becoming penniless. Cameron set off for the alcohol run, leaving myself and Liliane to spend time together at the house.
    When I heard a knock at the front door, I assumed it was Cameron and that he would walk in momentarily. When the door didn’t open after a minute, I crossed the room and opened the front door myself.
    “Hi, Emily.”
    It was Lee, looking slightly different than usual.
    “Hey,” I greeted. “What brings you here? Do you want to come in?”
    Lee accepted, and as he entered the house I realized what was different about him. It wasn’t much, but he was wearing jeans that looked less like they’d been at the Battle of The Bulge and more like they’d been worn only a few times.
    “I had some ideas to run through with Cameron,” Lee explained. “Hello, Liliane.”
    My sister had entered the sitting room as well, though she stood at the far end. She smiled and put her hands on the back of the couch. “Hi again, Lee.”
    “Cameron is out right now,” I informed him. “He’s getting drinks for New Years.”
    “It’ll be here?” he asked.
    I confirmed and offered him something to drink. “You’re welcome to stay until he gets back. It shouldn’t be much longer.”
    Lee thanked me and accepted, so the three of us went into the kitchen. Before I had the kettle on the stove, my sister and Lee were chatting.
    “If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do for a living? Three weeks vacation is a nice benefit,” Lee added.
    “I’m a manager at a department store,” she answered. “I was able to take my two weeks of vacation, and a third week without pay.”
    “You must love Emily, to come visit for the holidays.”
    “I do.”
    “Each other was all we really had growing up,” I told him.
    Liliane nodded in agreement. “It wasn’t easy, but having someone to share it with makes it a little better.”
    The kettle began to whistle, then, so I poured two cups of tea and brought them to the table. I placed them down in front of Lee and my sister and excused myself to take a shower.
    Once in my bedroom, I stripped and stepped into the bathroom. I turned on the water and adjusted the temperature before stepping into the stream and letting my thoughts wander.
    Liliane had noted Lee’s kind interest once he had left on Christmas Day. She told me that he seemed very sweet, and I confirmed her assumption.
    “He was the only one who came to the hospital while I was there,” I told her. “He came twice and just sat with Cameron.”
    “That’s really sweet,” she admitted. “He seems very nice.”
    Despite my suspicion that I would return to the kitchen and find them making out on my table, I got dressed and went back downstairs.
    The first thing I heard was my sister’s laughter and it made me smile. It had been a long time since I’d heard her guffaw and it was a wonderful sound to hear once more. I sat back down at the table and joined in on the conversation. Lee was telling her of the better moments of the tour, and I certainly had a story or two I could add.


    Cameron walked in about an hour later, announcing his entrance with the sound of bottles clanging. I walked into the sitting room and saw him put a third box by the door.
    “Enough booze?” I asked sarcastically.
    He chuckled and gave me a kiss. “Lee’s here? His car is out front.”
    I nodded. “He’s in the kitchen with Liliane,” I told him. “He came over to talk to you about some song ideas he had, and he stuck around.”
    “You can let him know I’m back. There’s only one more box in the van.”
    Cameron went back outside and I returned to the kitchen. Lee stood as I entered the room and delivered the message to him. My sister stood as well, but Lee was first to follow me back towards the front door.
    Cameron returned with the final box and greeted Lee. “Had a good Christmas with your family?”
    “A very good time,” Lee answered, before turning to face me and Liliane. “I should get going. It was nice to see you again, Liliane.” Lee turned and put his hand on Cameron’s arm briefly. “I’ll see you Thursday, Cameron.”
    Lee walked out the front door and headed to his car without another word. Cameron poked his head outside and watched him with mock suspicion.
    “So much for new song ideas,” he scoffed.