Subject: The Letter, Part One
From: R J Jamison
Date: Fri Jun 29, 2001 4:36 pm

Julia Hoffman sat in her room at Collinwood, alone, desolate and without motivation to face the day. She knew in one way or another today would be difficult. She'd rather hide away in her room, feigning illness. But that type of excuse would result in several visitors, one after another inquiring, and that was one thing she could not tolerate. Why didn't I rise early and just escape the house? Go somewhere where I could be alone today of all days. But she did not want to seem to be escaping the communication she knew she would receive today. It would be either a visit, a call or a letter. Something would make its way to her and announce that today was the day she had so dreaded, for the last ten years. Have I dreaded it? It will end so many things, years of uncertainty but then it is final. Today it will be final.

Outside her room Julia heard voices from the other members of the household. They were awake and making plans for the day. Soon they would be in the kitchen eating breakfast. Her absence might be noted and then again it might not. If I slip out that door in the West Wing, no one will know. Just remember to lock it later. With these thoughts, Julia waited for the voices to fade and then took her personal belongings for the day and slipped out of the house.

Barnabas Collins joined his family for breakfast at Collinwood. The family had expressed mild surprise when Barnabas began joining them for breakfast several months ago. It was an about face from his previous behavior, wherein he had often stayed to himself and only visited in the evening after returning from his business affairs. Barnabas explained that he had tired of Willie's unsuccessful attempts at cooking and asked for inclusion in family dining until he could hire his own cook. His cousin, Elizabeth, readily agreed. She was encouraged to see Barnabas's recent personality changes. He had become less sullen and solitary. He had accompanied several different family members on outings and had initiated some social festivities within his own home, the Old House. She saw Barnabas reaching out in a different way and seemingly embracing the modernities of the twentieth century. She had worried that he spent too much time dreaming of the past, she recalled his fascinations and how he had drawn others into it with him. First Victoria Winters, Maggie Evans at time but mostly, Julia Hoffman. Julia, Elizabeth contemplated, was a very modern person in many ways but she often followed Barnabas on his whimsies and romantic flights of fancy. Elizabeth believed that Julia had spent so much of her life focused in facts, science and striving to achieve in a man's world, that fantasy, romance and its shadows had not been a part of her life until Collinwood. Now these elements seemed to dominate Julia's life and Elizabeth hoped that the recent solemnity of Collinwood would restore a healthy balance to Julia's life. But in the midst of these observations, a fire had destroyed Wyndcliffe and Julia was more at ends than ever.

"Where is Julia?" Elizabeth glanced about. "Did she slip out early this morning or is she staying at the Old House?"

Barnabas sheepishly looked up from his eggs. It had recently dawned on him how Julia's many nights in his home had been interpreted and explained over the years. But there was no way he could explain her presence that didn't reveal too much about himself. So his relatives and many townspeople considered he and Julia to be on and off - lovers, there were worse things that could be said of him. "Why no, we are taking a break in work on the book. We're both suffering from some writer's block."

Barnabas noted Roger's slight head shaking. He knew Roger had certain theories about Barnabas and Julia. "That book must be encyclopedic the way you two have worked on it for the last five years."

"Yes. I'm afraid the research was easier than the actual composition. That is turning out to be rather difficult."

David Collins appeared in the kitchen with Maggie Evans.

"David and Maggie was Julia around this morning?" Elizabeth queried.

"She slipped out the side door in the West Wing about an hour ago." David quipped as he loaded up his plate.

"Maggie did you see her?"

Maggie looked disapprovingly at David who barely caught the glance. "Yes, Mrs. Collins. David and I were outside collecting some things for David's biology class. We saw her leave through the West Wing side door and hurry to her car."

"She didn't say anything?" Barnabas joined the inquiry.

"No. She did see us, waived and was off. She must have a busy day with Wyndcliffe business."

"Yes, the insurance adjusters are being quite uncooperative." Roger and his team of lawyers had been assisting Julia and the Board of Directors of Wyndcliffe in trying to settle with the insurance company. The fire was an accident caused by a patient. There was no quibbling about that but other factors contributed to the insurance company not wanting to completely cover the loss.

"I don't know if its appropriate to mention it," Maggie looked around questioningly. "but I have noticed Julia being, well, not herself in the last few days.

"What do you mean Maggie?" Elizabeth asked.

"I found her in the Library the other day, she was reading something and it seemed to have upset her very much. I do think she had been crying." Maggie almost whispered this as she knew how private Julia was and how she might resent this information being shared.

Barnabas reflected on Maggie's comment. He had not seen Julia for several days. She had been immersed in plans for the rebuilding of Wyndcliffe and was often gone when he ventured to Collinwood. She also had intentionally distanced herself from him since they had returned from 1840. He recollected the night he asked why she had been so absent.

"You need to mourn your wife and I can't stand to watch." Julia replied and then left him alone. He had thought her remark cruel and cold but then he knew his revelation about Angelique had been cruel to her. He had long known Julia loved him. He had acknowledged fleetingly his own feelings for her but he still was not in a place to change their current
friendship into anything more. He was confident though that as he worked out his life in his own mind, its twisted paths, his own unaccountable heart, she would be there waiting and he would be ready. But as he read several of her own psychiatric books and journals over the last several months, he knew he had a great deal to work out prior approaching her. He did not want to make any more terrible mistakes as he had in the past.

"I too Maggie have come upon Julia looking a bit sad. I do hope it will work out." Elizabeth eyed Barnabas who seemed oblivious to the moment. "Barnabas do you know what is bothering Julia?"

"I unfortunately have not the slightest idea."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sighed loudly.

"Elizabeth, why do you react that way?"

"Barnabas," Elizabeth eyed him indirectly. "Julia knows every nuance of your psyche yet when she is obviously distressed, you have taken no notice nor seem to care-"

"Elizabeth, I just have not seen Julia in several days. She was fine when last I saw her."

"Your relationship is beyond me, really." Elizabeth stood and headed toward the door.

Barnabas scanned the room and saw each set of eyes drop to plates of food and become preoccupied. "I'll speak to her this evening." He quietly volunteered.

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