When Michael won two tickets to the Cosmic Fossils Reunion concert, complete with passes to the after party, my first thought was, " What color will I dye my hair? "

No way would I miss seeing this show up close.

No way would Michael discover that I'd spent the summer of 1970 touring with the band. My relationship with Michael was too new and too promising to let him know about the life I'd led with Justin Flame, the guitar player, thirty years ago.

Justin, bless his gregarious gift of gab, would be just the guy to fill him in.

Michael thinks Justin Flame is one of the greatest guitarists since cave men started strumming tree branches. I knew he would track Justin down at the party and tell him so. He'd introduce himself and then he would introduce me. My last name is different now, but my first name is still Ann. Golden Annie, the band called me, because of my blonde hair, biscuity tan, and golden accessories . . . gold hoop earrings, velvet dresses embroidered with gold thread, gold lame' vest with matching beret.

The glow of that summer tarnished badly by fall. Justin the Guitar Player turned out to be a player of women's hearts as well. Mine broke.

I moved away from the music world and spent thirty years nine-to-fiving. My life always included pretty clothes and careful maintenance of my fluffy blonde hair, no matter how complicated that maintenance became with age. I had relationships with men, but I never married.

The Cosmic Fossils split up in the Eighties. Sometimes I heard of Justin touring with another band. Once in a while, I'd hear a song on the radio and think I recognized his style. I'd check the CD liner notes at a music store, and sure enough, it would be Justin doing session work.

Then, boom, the Cosmic Fossils reunited, cut an album, Ancient Secrets, and set off on a tour that sold out all over the world.

Sweet, open-hearted, guitar-solo loving Michael had won party passes and soon I'd have Justin Flame right in my face. I knew he'd recognize me and I knew he'd blab.

It was history, ancient history. Why did I care if Michael found out? I wasn't sure. But he wasn't going to learn it from me . . . or Justin Flame.

I called Gene Juarez and booked a makeover for the day of the show.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Well, I always wondered about being a redhead."

"This is considered purple."

"Even better. I'm an old lady. I shall wear purple. Let's get going here. I still have shopping to do."

I liked the cut. The shaving at the nape of my neck exposed my natural untanned skin color, which made it easy to blend ivory make-up for my face, throat, and shoulders.

I'd never worn black leather before. Actually, the new jacket and capri pants were faux. I'm a vegetarian and too thrifty to buy real leather for just one event.

The Italian velvet platform sandals counted as an investment. I knew I'd wear them again and I didn't need cheap shoes adding to my edginess tonight.

Last stop, the fragrance counter. In the seventies, I'd worn Charlie. Lately, I'd worn shower gel. I wheedled a sample vial of Poison by Christion Dior, and fled.

Michael arrived at 7 PM in his usual sweater and Levis.

" Oh, my God, " he said.

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. I sang and screamed a lot, the easier to feign laryngitis at the after party.

Michael air-guitared along with all of Justin's solos. We'd had time for a couple of gin and tonics in the downstairs bar, then I bought him a tight black Ancient Secrets World Tour t-shirt, which he changed into then and there.

Everybody stayed standing for the entire show plus two encores. By the end, Michael and I were high-fiving or kissing on every song.

We got so involved in kissing, we straggled into the party. At the door, I slipped on the rhinestone-trimmed reading glasses I'd picked up at the 99 Cent Store. Michael stared at them. " I don't want to miss a good look at the rock stars," I rasped.

" Poor baby, " he whispered back, " You've lost your voice. " He squeezed my hand and rear end simultaneously. " Well, then, let's go meet rock stars. "

He gave my rump a light slap, which propelled me through the door and also threw me off balance on my platform sandals. I grabbed at the door frame with my free hand, but missed. I lurched into a tall man with a drink, which spilled onto my head. Someone grabbed my right elbow and kept me from crashing to the floor.

I looked up into the startled face of Justin Flame.

My heart rabbited. I felt his left hand steadying my back as his right hand cupped my elbow.

I prayed my hair color wasn't running.

Justin stared at me like a kid trying to figure out a math problem. I bobbed my head and smiled to show I was ok. His pupils dilated. He recognizes me, I thought. He's going to tell.

Deep laugh lines crinkled Justin's face as his cheeks chipmunked into a smile. Immaculate teeth showed. Like dark chocolate, his eyes glistened bitter and sweet at the same time, teasing me through dark lashes.

Justin nodded at me, then turned his smile to Michael.

" Thanks, " said Michael, " she. . . uh . . . just got new glasses. I don't think she's used to them yet. " He extended his hand. " I'm Michael Newton. I've been a fan since the dawn of time. And this is Ann. "

Justin took my hand to shake. He stared into my eyes again. " Ann . . .I once had a love named Ann. Dallied her away, I did. " He squeezed my hand, then placed it into Michael's. " And I was sorry. "

He faced Michael. " I'm sure you take better care of your Ann."

" Sure glad I have today off from work, so I didn't miss this," I murmured. " Why didn't you tell me sooner that a suite at the Four Seasons was included in the concert package? "

" Didn't want to scare you away, " Michael said, feeding me a strawberry from the room service tray. " Want to go for a swim before we check out?"

" My hair might run, " I replied.

" You mean that's not your permanent new color? "

" Not unless you want it to be. "

" Well, I kind of like the haircut. It's saucy. " He nuzzled the shaved part of my neck. " How's your throat?"

" Better. I think it helped not to talk at the party. "

" That Justin Flame talks enough for you and me put together. But, he is interesting. "

" Yeah, he's a good storyteller. Irish, I think. "

" You know, Annie, I've got some really old Cosmic Fossils film. Super 8 stuff I shot at Seattle Pops in 1969. "

" You were there?"

" Yeah. Climbed the fence. I was in love with Tina Turner. "

" Her name is Ann, too."

" I know. Small world, isn't it? "

This is a link to my other story site

This is a link to my exterior shipwright's website. Tell him Laurie sent you.