Subj: The Letter, Part Two
Date: 6/29/01 12:18:14 PM Central Daylight Time
From: R J Jamison

Julia walked along a rocky coastline several hours from Collinsport. Here no one knew her, no one would ask for medical advice, gossip about the Collins nor speak to her of her ruined hospital and the lunatic who'd set it on fire. She smiled at the recollection of one local calling the Wyndcliffe patient who accidentally caused the fire, "a lunatic". The man had caught his slip and had spent five minutes trying to recover. Julia had just stared at him and had not made it easy for him to recover. She did not take lightly the fact that educated people continued to think people with mental illness were crazy or freaks.

Walking along the coastline, Julia felt the wind whipping across her face and hair. She imagined she must look a fright after four hours walking the coastline crying. She was certain her mascara and eye liner were black lines down her face. She thought back to the many times she had escaped Collinsport and Wyndcliffe over the years for this sojourn with her own sad thoughts. Perhaps it was true that keeping these thoughts to herself accented the pain she felt. Most often, she just pressed them into a tin spot within herself where they rested, not bothering or interfering. Several years ago, she had been counseled by her own psychiatrist to release these thoughts, the pain and share them with others. But there was no one Julia wanted to share them with. Perhaps there was one person, Barnabas, but then, she felt revealing all of these things to him would in the end be pointless. He didn't care, he barely saw beyond his own needs and when he did it was for 'the Family' and not much more. How could she have spent five, almost six years involved and not involved with this man? What would Dr. Pendleton have thought of this relationship? Oh, I know what he would've thought. He would've tied it all too neatly back to the source of today's pain. "He would've said I was trying to save myself from you and how I failed you." Julia tilted her head and glanced out at the ocean again. "And he would be right." She said reflectively and with knowledge she hadn't previously had.

As darkness settled over Collinsport, Julia returned to town. She had decided to dine alone at the Blue Whale rather than face the Collins. She knew David and Maggie had seen her furtive exit from the house and probably noted it to one of the others. Julia had quickly checked her appearance in the bathroom before moving into the main room of the Blue Whale. Julia enjoyed knowing that any woman in Collinsport could dine at the Blue Whale and not be labeled. It reminded her of the family pubs in England. Everyone was welcome and no one judged. As she sat at the bar awaiting her burger and fries, Julia felt a friendly hand caress her back.

"Trying to escape Mrs. Johnson's meatloaf again?" Quentin took the empty barstool next to her.

Julia smiled and nodded. She then reached for her beer and took a sip. "Just wanting some solitude is all."

Quentin cocked his head. "I'm sorry if I intruded."

"One person is alright, but let's have a no chit-chat rule tonight?" Julia set down the mug.

"I can relate to that, and honor it." Quentin took the beer which had appeared before him and toasted Julia.

After they had both completed their meals and another round, Julia and Quentin walked out of the Blue Whale. "It's a pretty nice night." Quentin pulled off his jacket and threw it over his shoulder.

"Yes, it's a beautiful night." Julia stared up at the stars.

"I hope you are feeling better." Quentin opened Julia's car door.

"Its just a moment of melancholy, it will pass." Julia smiled and climbed into her car.

Quentin leaned in the open window. "Melancholy or not, Elizabeth is worried and she'll be asking questions."

Julia leaned back on the seat. "Just what I was trying to avoid."

"Yea, well, everyone is alerted now. Elizabeth berated Barnabas at the breakfast table-"

"What?"

Quentin laughed in his easygoing way. "I received this information second-hand but she apparently felt his lack of insight into your feelings is unacceptable."

"Quentin, I only just received insight into my feelings today. It's taken nearly a decade to sort it out. No one should fault Barnabas for not knowing. He hasn't an inkling."

"Listen Julia, I'm gonna be bold here, I've had a few beers. When are you going to give that cousin of mine an ultimatum?

Julia sat up straight and stared at Quentin. Normally she would pretend naïveté or innocence at his suggestion but no longer. "Why offer such a challenge when I have no chance of winning?"

"I think the odds are more in your favor than you realize." Quentin stood and gazed about him. Julia watched him attempt to keep his balance.

Julia stepped out of her car. "Quentin, you only had two beers."

"Only two here at the Blue Whale, I got an early start over at the Handley brother's boat repair shop." Quentin allowed Julia to take him to her passenger side and sat down without further comment.

Back in the car, Julia started the engine. "So I walk the coasts of Maine to deal with my melancholy and you down a case of beer."

Quentin put his arm over the back of the bench seat. "You've got me pegged my dear. But you know my problem, what is yours?"

Julia looked at him. "Do you really want to know?"

"I've long wanted to know what goes on behind those magnificent green eyes."

"You're an incurable flirt, Quentin."

"Call a spade a spade dear Doctor. Now. . were you about to share a little of your inner self with me?"

"Do you know Starlight Cove?"

"I believe I named it that."

"How about we watch the surf, the stars at the Cove and I'll tell you my sad tale of woe." Julia turned the ignition and headed toward Starlight Cove.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.