Now the sun is slowly hopping down through the branches of a tree across the highway, like an old tired bird getting ready to roost for the night. I am tired and kind of hungry and wearing my 76ers shirt, smoking only my 2nd of the day. I'm writing terribly run-on, senseless sentences to you on this late summer evening and trying to tell/ask you to please be patient with me, as you have been already. Because I am so astounded by you...and I wish I was this letter, unwrapped by you today and held in your lovely hands. Inches from your wonderful face.

Serge

Just Another Email
Saturday, August 28, 2004

What to say... What to say...after a week like I've just had.. I don't really know. It's all so mind boggling to me. Every facet of this entire situation just blows me away. From the fact that, despite all odds, we managed to meet each other in the first place.. to the texting, to my mad dash across 4 states (like we said.. the big fucking western kind, these ain't no Rhode Island like eastern states) just to see you for a short time. And oh boy, the seeing you part!

I feel like we have been friends forever. I feel like I've been walking down streets holding your hand forever. I feel like we've been making love forever. It's such a tricky situation as it stands.. You, and your unfinished business.. It leaves me not sure how to behave, how often to text/call/email you. I don't want to be an extra burden in your already complicated love life. I want to be someone you are excited to hear from. Not another difficult situation you are confused about. And every time we talk, I don't want it to always be about heavy relationship stuff. I want to gossip about celebrities, and hear your tour stories and Roger Daltry infomercial impersonations....

So, the ball is really, mostly in your court. I am always here for you. I will be your friend forever. I can't imagine not being close to you in some capacity. You are the most amazing person I have ever met in my entire life. You fascinate, enchant and inspire me on levels I haven't even begun to tell you about yet. Serge... Just take your time figuring your life out. It's the most important thing you will ever do. Follow your heart and do what you gotta do. Thank you for what was perhaps the best week in my life... So far.

Monica: Feeling a bit lonely back in her big empty house in SLC

The next day I received a call from Serge as he was preparing to do a sound check in Kentucky.
"I talked to Caroline."
He had cried. Caroline had cried. Four years is a long time to know someone. In the end, though, they both knew it was over long before Serge called her that last time. During the call and a subsequent email, he had thoughtfully explained to her that he wanted her to be happy and he wanted to be happy and so he thought they should really move on. Anti-climactic really, as both of them had already been seeing other people for quite some time. I was happy because Serge was happy. He said the phone call went well and he felt good about what was said.
"I honestly think she's relieved." He elaborated. "And I am too."
I was relieved as well and was excitedly looking forward to my very first trip to Philadelphia and then New York City to meet up with Serge at the end of his tour.

HERE IT IS!!!!
Wednesday September 8, 2004

Hello Lovely Monica,

Just got done looking at all the photos you sent; they came thru super-clear. Damn, you look great in them....I am tempted to print a few out and take them back to my hotel and have a bizarre "date" with them. I'll try and refrain.

I suppose you're still bored over at work, but after tonight.....you're outta there for awhile, so relief is imminent.Please don't be afraid or too nervous about seeing me, Monica. I know how frightening this all is in a way because I'm feeling exactly the same ( even though I try and act like I'm not!). Just spending some time together is really important right now. I already love you in quite a few ways: uber-thoughtful, sexy, well-read, intelligent, creative, ambitious young lady comes into a freaked-out rock'n'roller's life at just the most interesting time and guess what? She is gonna get LOVED!

Still, I am fully aware at how we just need to be cool, enjoy NOW for NOW, laugh together, see some sights, make out if we wanna, and see what happens. Life is scary....and that's a good thing, I think. Otherwise, we'd all live lives of safe cul-de-sacs, fern bars, and tepid passion. We are two people who don't want that for ourselves.........and then we met, one night, in the oddest of ways.

I'll take that for now. And I hope you feel the same way......

Text me if you hit the bar with your friends, ok?

Serge

To be continued...