November 7th, 1971

[Liliane’s Perspective]


    When our stomachs began to protest, we had been walking around the Mile End neighbourhood to show the band some sights. It was early evening, nearing sunset, and we collectively agreed to stop for a quick bite to eat before heading to La Scène for festivities.
    “Is Alec’s place still around?” Emily asked. “We’re right near it, aren’t we?”
    She was asking me, as no one in the band would have known the diner even if it bit them on the nose. “Yeah,” I answered. “He’s still on Park. I think he’ll be open until eight, at least.”
    “Have you guys ever had Greek food?” Emily addressed her question to the men, who all shook their heads.
    “I’ve had Greek, but it wasn’t food, exactly,” Dale smirked proudly.
    “I’m sure you have!” I laughed. Lee wasn’t the only one who chuckled at my comment, but it was his laugh I noticed most.
    “It’s settled, then,” my sister announced. “We’re getting Greek.”
    The diner was only a few blocks north on Park Avenue from us, and didn’t take more than fifteen minutes. I confessed to Emily, feeling rather guilty, that I hadn’t seen Alec in months.
    Somehow, Emily was able to appear unbothered by our prolonged absence as we strolled into the diner. Only one woman was seated, drinking a coffee, and I recognized her as Alec’s wife.
    “Angie, it’s been a while! How have you been?” Emily greeted her enthusiastically. They hugged briefly, and I approached to say hello.
    “It’s so good to see you girls again!” Angie was clearly thrilled by our reappearance, and called out loudly to her husband. Though she eyed the five men standing with us cautiously, she reverted back to joy when Alec entered the front room.
    “Girls!” he exclaimed.
    ‘Memory like an elephant,’ I jibed internally, though I smiled at the familiarity of Alec’s crushing hug. “It’s good to see you again, Alec,” I said to him. “You’re looking well!”
    “As are you,” he replied sweetly before turning to my sister. “And you, Emily! I thought you were still on Mars. What’s the red planet like?” he joked.
    “It’s been too long, Pops,” Emily said apologetically. I’d nearly forgotten her nickname for him. “I moved to Scotland last year.”
    “Mars, Scotland, it’s all the same,” he quipped. “Have you come for dinner? Tell me you’re hungry.”
    “Wait,” Dale interjected. “He’s your dad?”
    I looked at him skeptically and raised an eyebrow. “No.”
    “Emily called him Pops,” he pressed.
    ‘Poor Dale, he looks so confused,’ I said to myself.
    Luckily, Emily answered for me. “Alec’s last name is Papadakis. And he’s been very good to us over the years,” she added, smiling widely at the man. “We are hungry, though, and these guys have never tasted a Greek meal.”
    Her statement was dramatic enough for Alec, who nearly scowled. “Did you start a harem in Scotland?” he joked.
    Emily and I laughed at that, but I let her defend herself. “No,” she assured Alec, “But you know me, nothing’s off the table.”
    Introductions were made, and the band were visibly growing more comfortable. We were plastered with food and drinks, and made to feel welcome by Alec and Angie. It felt as if Emily and I had been here just last week, when in reality we hadn’t eaten a meal here in well over eighteen months.


    La Scène was far from being a high profile club, though it was by no means a dreary place to spend an evening with friends. The music pulsing through the building wasn’t deafening unless you happened to be in the famed “weak knees” area, where under-hydrated guests would often find themselves feeling quite wobbly.
    We’d chosen to sit at the far end of the club, where the atmosphere was more laid-back than in the opposite end: the west side was full-fledged dancing and drinking, whereas the eastern portion had ample seats and tables giving a more relaxed feel. Emily had scoped out and claimed a large high-backed booth for the four of us, which suited me fine. She and Cameron were currently at the bar getting drinks for themselves, Lee, and I, while Colin, Willie, and the untameable Dale were mingling unseen.
    “Have you come here often?” Lee asked me curiously.
    His arm was around my waist, and I leaned into him. “I’ve been known to come for a drink or two. It’s dead on a Monday night, and this isn’t too bad for a Sunday,” I added.
    “The decor reminds me of a place in Germany,” Lee told me, amusement clear on his face. “Except there, they’ve got barely-clothed women dancing on the tables.”
    I laughed, but refused to acknowledge the twist in my stomach.
    He must have known, though, because Lee’s next words were spoken softly, his face close to mine. “I much prefer this, mind you.”
    I smiled, and so did he, as he leaned closer to kiss me. A quick succession of brief contact that made my heart race.
    “Get a room!”
    We pulled apart in surprise, only to see Emily and Cameron set four glasses on the table. It was Emily who’d teased us, and I gave her a dirty look.
    “Are you already drunk?” I accused.
    “No, but I will be soon.” She lowered herself onto the bench beside me and handed me a glass. “Your wine, sis.”
    I thanked her and raised my glass in cheers. “To Amoeba, and the rubble they'll leave behind them,” I announced. The trio raised their glasses and agreed, to which we all drank.
    It was some time later, after a few fleeting sightings of either Willie, Dale, or Colin, that Emily was sufficiently inebriated to drag Cameron towards the dance floor.
    “She’s having a good time,” I noted. I was able to see the flash of Emily’s bright shirt every few seconds, and could help but laugh at the thought of Cameron trying to keep up.
    Lee chuckled, likely thinking the same thing as me. “It would seem that way,” he agreed cheerfully. “As are you, I hope?”
    I looked at him and pushed my worry out of the way. “I really am, Lee,” I told him honestly.
    His answering grin was as sincere as it was wide. “Would you like another drink?”
    “Please,” I nodded. Lee stood, taking our empty glasses with him, and I watched as he disappeared into the crowd on his way to the bar.
    Knowing I only had a few minutes until he returned with hands full, I forced myself to confront my worry. I had been waiting to see him again since January, and now that he was here, I couldn't stop my mind from turning.
    Lee cared for me— he'd told me that much while I visited Emily in Scotland last Christmas— and I cared for him. The letters he'd sent me while on tour should have quelled any doubts I had, but they didn't mute all of them, even though I'd read the letters time and time again…

    Emily misses you terribly. It would be deceitful not to mention that I do as well. Though the band is doing great, and the shows are getting good reception, I can't say my mood wouldn’t improve if I could see you.

    I hope you're well, and safe. We've just rounded out the California shows, and it's so sunny here I'm sure I can be seen from space! It was wonderful to speak with you last week, and I hope you aren't minding all these letters...

    It was pointless to keep turning it over in my mind. I knew how I felt about Lee, and it was the same way I’d felt months ago during my visit to Scotland. I’d gotten scared when he asked me to spend the night, even though it was clear he would let me sleep alone in his bed, and I could feel that fear rising inside me now.
    How could I love him when I lived here, and he lived across the ocean? Emily had managed it but she didn’t have many ties here other than me, and we could still write letters. I was in a comfortable job with room for advancement, and I had friends and colleagues who I would be leaving if I allowed myself to love Lee.
    I’d nearly convinced myself to shut and lock away my feelings for Lee when he reappeared at the table, drinks in hand and a smile on his face. I felt the imaginary padlock slip out of my grasp, and cursed myself resignedly. ‘Dammit.’
    Lee placed a glass in front of me, which I immediately took a large sip from while he sat back down beside me. I felt the heat of his thigh against mine, but when his hand slid behind me and came to rest on my lower back, I smiled.
    I shifted my body so I was facing him. “You have something on your lip,” I said quietly.
    Lee’s eyes widened. “I do?”
    “Here.” I spoke as I closed the space between us and pressed my lips to his. I felt the muscles of his thigh stiffen under my hand, but only for a second. I kissed him forcefully, and Lee responded in much the same way, with his fingers barely touching my neck.
    “So,” he mumbled slowly when we pulled apart. “What was on my lip?”
    “Mine?” I offered, though I was already laughing.
    After that, I let myself have fun without giving my reservations attention. Though when Colin strode over to us with confusion clear on his face, I realized I may have been having too much fun.
    “Where’s Emily gone?” he asked, sitting down on the edge of the bench.
    “Who knows.” Lee shrugged. “Last we saw her, she was dragging Cameron over that way.” He nodded towards the dance floor.
    Colin frowned. “I was hoping she could translate something for me.”
    “French?” I asked, and Colin nodded. “You’re aware that I speak French too, right?”
    The drummer admitted that he’d never really sat down and thought about it, or ever heard me speak French.
    “What did you need translated?” I pressed. His babbling was making me curious; what had been said to him?
    Colin shifted uncomfortably. “There’s a woman I’ve been chatting with, and well…”
    Lee sighed. “Get on with it! What did she say?”
    “What does femme fontaine mean?”
    I almost choked on my drink, and it took me a minute to be able to speak. “Who… What was the context?” I asked slowly. I knew damn well what that phrase meant, but I wasn’t giving it out without a story.
    Colin bit his lip, and clearly didn’t want to explain, which gave me a very good idea of the context. “Ah,” I hummed. “Well, if you’re going to go ahead with that plan make sure you’ve got a towel,” I told him. “Or two.”
    Colin was more confused now than when he’d first shown up at the table. “A towel?”
    I nodded and fought the smile inching onto my face. “Absolutely. That’s rule number one, especially if she’s letting you know beforehand. Fountain women don’t mess around.”
    Lee chuckled, clearly having caught on to the meaning. “Liliane’s right. Get a towel, and have fun.” He leaned forward and slapped Colin’s shoulder in encouragement.
    He didn’t seem sure of himself, but with a second glance at Lee’s grin, Colin decided to take the advice. “Alright. Well, thanks, then.”
    He walked off, presumably to find his fountain, which left me free to laugh.
    “Femme fontaine, oh my God,” I giggled. “I’ve never known a lady to warn the guy about that!”
    “Poor kid,” Lee said through a laugh. “He’s going to get soaked.”


    I stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed, and thankful that I'd gone back to the house in the morning to bring some clothes and toiletries to the hotel.
    As I dried off, I wondered what I would find when I walked back into the room. Lee, no doubt, but what would he be doing? He had showered before me, and it was nearing midnight after a full day out in the city. I decided that even if I speculated, I'd likely be wrong, so there was no point in wondering. I slipped into a pair of underwear and put on a long nightshirt that I'd worn ragged in the years I'd had it.
    Lee was lounging comfortably on the bed, laying on top of the covers clad in pyjama pants. His head lifted at the sound of my entrance and a smile spread across his face.
    "Nice shower?"
    "It was very nice,” I assured him. I sat beside him on the bed and hummed happily as I sank into the soft mattress. “Are you looking forward to playing tomorrow?” I’d nearly forgotten that tomorrow and Tuesday would be the last two shows of their sojourn in Canada.
    “More than usual, I’d say.” Lee’s reply was quiet but clear.
    I looked at him curiously. “Why’s that?”
    “You’ve never seen us perform,” he pointed out. “I’d like to give you a good show.”
    A derisive grunt came from me in reply. “I’m not the Queen, Lee. I’m just me.”
    He shifted on the bed, turning his body so he was facing me, and peered at me intently. “I’d like it very much if I could be frank with you, Liliane,” he told me slowly. “I can only ask that you do me the same.”
    His stare was piercing and my heart lurched. After a moment, I met his eyes and agreed. “Alright.”
    “You don’t need to be the Queen. You’re you, and that’s the only thing I could ask for.” Lee paused, his eyes darting away for a quick moment. “You read my letters?”
    “Of course,” I answered vehemently. “I read them more than a few times, actually…”
    He smiled at my confession. “Then you know where I stand. I’ve waited near to a year to see you,” he reminded me. “I’d spend the next year in Mongolia if it meant I’d have you at the end of it.”
    “Mongolia?” I asked skeptically, though I knew he was sincere.
    Lee chuckled, and I thought I saw his cheeks redden slightly. “Would the South Pole be better?” he teased.
    I giggled bashfully, but forgot about the shyness as soon as Lee’s lips touched mine. The kiss was precariously balanced between soft and urgent; his hands moved to my waist and I felt a shudder of anticipation roll through me.
    Urgency was beginning to overtake softness, though, and I pulled away from him. I looked down at the bed covers, avoiding his gaze for a long moment. “I’m sorry, Lee,” I whispered, radiating with embarrassment. “I’m just…”
    “I know.” His whisper was soothing, and I allowed myself to meet his eyes. “You’re worried, I know that. Frightened too, sometimes, and I understand.”
    I laid my head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around me. I felt safe and happy, but I still didn't know how this would all work out.
    A conversation I'd had with Emily on my birthday rang through my ears, as if she was beside me right now. ‘I've never known a woman who said love was easy,’ she had told me, and she was right.
    Without realizing, I'd spoken aloud. Lee replied, but so quietly I strained to hear him. "I've never known a man to say so, either."
    I lips tugged upwards, despite the tone of our words. He loved me too, then, and nothing could be done to avoid what had already been decided.
    I lifted my head and kissed him. A fleeting touch, but no less poignant than before. "I do want you, Lee," I confessed in a whisper.
    He pulled me closer to him, though I would have been hard pressed to find more than an inch separating us, and pressed his lips to mine with purpose. I had to remind myself that we had kissed like this before, as recently as yesterday, but it didn’t help the desire I felt when his lips parted and his tongue ran over my bottom lip.
    I answered urgently, wanting to give and take all I could, while silently pleading that Lee would still love me come the morning.