“Ok, I’m confused,” Helen confessed, as James handed her a mug of hot coffee. “I know I heard your voice last night. I think I saw you play the piano. But your name wasn’t on the poster outside. Why?”

“First of all, did you like the song?” He used a rather serious tone.

“It was so beautiful.” Her voice was filled with admiration, as she raised the mug to her lips. “Michelle Adams has got the best voice. You were great, too. I cried: a lot.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” James softened his voice. “I wrote it.”

Helen’s surprise was so big that coffee came out of her nose.

“Oh, my God,” she responded, speaking too fast and wiping her mouth. “What are you talking about? I read online that…” She paused and slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead, closing her eyes. “You’re Jimmy X?”

“Yeah,” he affirmed. “You can tell your parents. Just don’t tell anyone else, alright?”

“Holy God…” a deep sigh escaped her. “Everything makes sense now.”

“Helen: it’s important.” He raised his tone, slightly. “Keep this a secret.”

“I will. Wait a minute,” her eyes snapped open. “Are you telling me that I’ve been listening to Jimmy X playing guitar and piano all this time? That I…” she faltered, “kissed him the other night?”

“Can we not make a big deal out of this?” James made his voice sound sweeter. “Please?”

“But it is a big deal!” Her voice turned into a high-pitched squeal. “I mean, Jimmy X lives in Shandaken?”

“I was referring to the kiss,” he pointed out. “Anyway, now you know.”

“That’s an even bigger deal,” Helen said in a soft voice, as she gazed deep into his eyes. “That was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”

“You were drunk,” James muttered. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage.”

“Wait a minute. I kissed you,” she whispered. “You didn’t take advantage.”

He felt the warmth of her fingertips crawl up his knuckles. Her hand rested on top of his, as she leaned in closer to him.

“This is a mistake, girl,” he grumbled, staring down at her pale hand.

“Will you relax already?” Helen protested. “I still can’t believe I’m sitting on Jimmy X’s couch.”

“Actually…” James exhaled hard. “I stopped being ‘Jimmy X’ a few minutes ago. I quit.”

“What? Oh no,” she softly moaned while tilting her head. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s a long story,” he responded, running his hand through his hair. “Let’s just say I’m disappointed in people.”

“So?” Helen shrugged. “You’re going to give up, just like that?”

“I don’t know.” James sighed, “I need some time: lots of time, really.”

“People disappoint each other all the time,” she said while attempting a louder tone. “Friends, family, boyfriends… It’s in our nature I think. You shouldn’t quit because of that.”

“I lost my faith in people a long time ago, Helen.” James stated with a hint of sadness in his voice. “My job kept me going. Working made me feel alive, useful, better about myself. Until last night, I thought I’d found a talented singer and a nice person to work with. I was wrong.”

“If you really have lost faith in people, then why are you even talking to me?” She wondered, a touch of frustration in her girly voice.

“It’s different with you.” He declared. “It’s…”

“How is it different?” Helen interjected. “I’m human, aren’t I?”

“You’ve been good to me.” James said. “So have your folks.”

“So you think we’ll never disappoint you?” Her question embarrassed him. He could not come up with a rebuttal. “Okay, forget I asked. Why don’t you tell me more about that song from last night? I really love song trivia.”

“Ah, Olivia…” He let out a nostalgic sigh. “It’s a short story of love, lust, greed and betrayal. It plays out as a monologue. A man looks up in the sky and just…” He paused. “Pours his heart out for the woman he loved, hoping that the pain inside will fade someday. Michelle wrote the music. What a shame....”

“A shame?” Helen squinted at him. “Why?”

“Never mind:” he waved his hand in front of his face, still sensing her hand on his. “Seriously, stop doing that,” James complained, even though part of him enjoyed her touch.

“It just feels a little too good,” she said while smiling and caressing his skin. “Especially when I know that I’m touching Jimmy X’s hand. Look at you. Most writers I see on TV or online are just so smug, and so pompous that I want to punch them in the face. But then there’s you; you’re modest, kind…” She leaned in even more, her voice a husky whisper, “and absolutely delicious.”

“Stay back, girl.” He said, his breath getting shorter.

“Oh, I wish I could just kiss those lips again…” Helen whimpered, “but, I can’t.”

“… because I’m asking you not to?” James wondered out loud, as she slowly leaned back.

“No.” She replied. “Meet me at the ‘Brown Oak’. I’ll tell you all about it. I promise I won’t do anything smart. Say, nine o’clock?”

“Why can’t you tell me now?” He inquired.

“It’s complicated.” She said with a grin. “Are you coming or not?”

“Fine,” James agreed. “I’ll see you tonight.”