Countdown (E-Mail #1)

November 4 - December 23, 1998

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/04/98 13:39 GMT

Dear John, The flight back was all right. I dozed most of the way -

anything to avoid watching an Adam Sandler movie. When I finally had a chance

to check my e-mail, I found a message from Victor, sent... hours before the

accident. I think you need to read it, so I'm forwarding it to you separately.

Call me if you need or want to talk. - Helena

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/05/98 08:29 CST

Dear Helena, I find it odd, and comforting that we were in Victor's

thoughts so soon before he died, that we were, at that point, more important

to him than his work on the Meta Probe, his concerns about Alpha, or anything

else. Thank you for sharing that message with me. It hurts like hell to know

his sending that message was one of the last things he ever did, but also

helps more than I thought possible to know he was happy for us and wanted only

the best for us. I want that as well. - John

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/06/98 12:53 GMT

Everyone here who knew Victor or ever worked with him is stunned by his

sudden death. He touched the lives of so many people, he subtly guided and

influenced them, sometimes in ways they weren't even aware of until much

later. Many have asked where they can send memorials. - Helena

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/07/98 10:43 CST

Damn! I haven't even thought about memorials, Helena. I really haven't

had time to think about it. Let me contact Victor's niece and see if she has

made any arrangements or has any preference. He never said anything to me, but

then he wouldn't. I do know he contributed regularly to several charities.

I'll get back to on this as soon as I can. - John

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/08/98 13:27 GMT

John, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Victor never

said anything to me either, but I'm sure whatever charity you and his niece

decide on, he'd be pleased. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/08/98 23:19 CST

I called Victor's niece earlier today. She suggested either Parkinson's

Disease Research - Victor's mother and brother died of complications from the

disease, or some space related charity. What do you think? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/09/98 14:27 GMT

Either cause would be worthy, John. As a doctor, my prejudices urge me to

lean toward Parkinson's Disease Research, but furthering the space program and

expanding research in space as well as space exploration was so much a part of

Victor's life, especially in recent years. Is there a worthy, reliable charity

related to space exploration? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/09/98 16:57 CST

Dear Helena, I've been trying to find space related charities, but with

little success. Everything seems to be for profit or extremely political, and

Victor would hate that. I checked into setting up some kind of grant program

for physicists to do research, specifically astronomers, but the numbers

required are far beyond the means we'll have from simple memorials.

Parkinson's Disease research it is. Any suggestions? - J.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/10/98 23:24 CST

Thank you, Helena. I decided on the fourth one on your list after talking

with people at all the facilities. Details for sending memorials are attached.

- J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/11/98 12:36 GMT

I'll pass the word, John. How are you doing? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/11/98 08:58 CST

Thanks. I'm doing all right. I miss him terribly, and I still feel

guilty, even though I shouldn't, even though you and several others have

talked with me about it. Researching the charities, making a decision then

setting up the details has helped tremendously. Victor was a scientist, he

didn't really believe in God or an afterlife as religions teach it, but I hope

wherever he is, wherever his spirit now resides, he's content. I have to meet

with his lawyer tomorrow, and I've been asked to clear out his apartment. That

won't be easy, either of them, but... I'll be okay. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/12/98 14:29 GMT

I'm sure Victor is content, perhaps even happy. He'd want the same for

you. If going to Victor's apartment alone is too difficult, ask a friend to go

with you - Alan perhaps. I'll come if you need me to. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/12/98 22:39 CST

I'm trying be both, Helena. I am happy about most aspects of my life,

especially having found you and you being an increasingly important part of my

life. You're a very special, very unique woman. Knowing you're there for me,

knowing I can talk to you about anything has made this all so much easier.

Thank you.

The visit with the lawyer was easier than I expected and went well. All

of Victor's affairs were in order, so there is no financial mess to sort out.

There are a few personal effects that Victor wants me to have, and that will

be taken care of next week. I did ask Alan to help me with Victor's place -

we're going tomorrow. I'll call you tomorrow night. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/13/98 13:09 GMT

I will always be there for you, John. No matter what may be in store for

us, I will never not be there for you. It has been... ages since I cared for

anyone as I care for you, or felt as comfortable and complete as I do when I'm

with you. I know I can tell you anything and know I don't have to worry about

how you'll react, what you'll think of me, or whether I'll ever see you again.

Somehow I just know we'll always be part of each other's lives. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/13/98 21:56 CST

Maybe this will sound soppy, but... I sometimes have the feeling we were

meant to be together. We could be living on different planets or opposite ends

of the solar system and the distance wouldn't matter; I would still feel for

you what I do when we're in the same room, the same bed. I've never

experienced this with anyone else I have ever known, Helena. At times it is

frightening and at times I can't imagine ever being part of a relationship in

which I don't feel this for you. I'm not telling you this to frighten you, or

to force you into saying something you're not ready to say or aren't sure

about yet. I'm telling you because I want you to understand the strength of my

feelings for you. I know it's only been a couple of months since we met,... 2

months ago today in fact,... but I feel I have known you all my life. I hope

you'll be a part of the rest of my life as well. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/14/98 13:47 GMT

Thank you for the flowers, John. They are beautiful. The whole section is

talking about them, wondering who they are from. I just smile and probably

blush. It hardly seems that we have only known each other for two months. I

often think it has been so much longer, have trouble remembering my life

before you became a very important part of it. I do understand the depth and

strength of your feelings for me, John. I share them, I have the same

feelings for you, and I often find myself frightened by that, but I am not

going to let that interfere with what we have, with what we are developing and

strengthening. I too want to be a part of the rest of your life, and you of

mine. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/15/98 09:58 CST

You're the best thing that has happened to me in a very, very long time,

Helena. I wish we weren't on different continents. I want to see you as often

as I can. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/16/98 12:49 GMT

Have you any plans for Thanksgiving? I have to work the actual day, it

isn't a national holiday in England <chuckle>, and I'm on call that weekend

(26-11) but I could arrange some time for us. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/17/98 19:37 CST

Thanksgiving week and weekend is no good for me, Helena. Orders arrived

today - I'll be on the moon that whole week, monitoring some of the training

for the Meta Probe astronauts, and helping Alan get settled in as training

supervisor (he says Melissa is less than happy about his reassignment to

another planet!). As soon as I have my temporary e-mail address for the moon,

I'll let you know. Sorry. - J.

To J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/18/98 11:53 GMT

No need to apologize. We both knew, going into this relationship, it

wouldn't always be easy. Long distance relationships never are, but I don't

want things to change, John. I don't want us to not be together just because

we can't be together as often as we'd like... Does that make sense? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/18/98 18:48 CST

Yes, it does make sense. We both have careers that take us away from each

other at times, even to different planets, and I completely understand what

you're saying. I don't want us to stop seeing each other simply because we

can't spend all our free time together, which, BTW, would be just the

beginning of fulfilling some of my wildest dreams. We can work around this,

we'll figure it out. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/19/98 14:02 GMT

Yes, we will work this out. You have wild dreams about me? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/19/98 23:56 CST

Yes, day dreams and night dreams. You? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/20/98 13:57 GMT

I wouldn't exactly call my dreams about you - about us - wild. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/20/98 16:39 CST

What would you call them, then? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/21/98 13:36 GMT

Passionate, intense, distracting - very distracting, and erotic. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/21/98 14:12 CST

Erotic? Passionate? Anything you'd care to share? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/22/98 13:17 GMT

I would love to share my dreams with you, but not like this. They need to

be shared when we're together, in person, because I have a hunch we may want

to make one or two - or more - become reality. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/22/98 20:38 CST

We'll have to find a way to be together when I get back from Alpha. I'm

anxious to see you, to turn those dreams into reality.

I leave for the moon at 06:00 tomorrow. Don't be alarmed if you don't

hear from me for a couple of days - there's a time delay between e-mails are

sent/received on Alpha and the time the reply arrives at its destination.

Personal messages have the lowest priority, are stored, then sent at non-peak

times, around 1 AM, GMT. At least we'll be on the same schedule for a few

days, no six hour difference. My Alpha e-mail will be:

J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

Have a good week, Helena. I'm going to miss our daily messages. I'll call you

when I'm back on Earth. - J.

To: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/23/98 12:57 GMT

I hope you had a good flight up, John. Were you pilot or passenger? I

know you can't go into details about what you're doing while on Alpha, but I'd

love it if you would tell me about the moon, about the base. I'm still hoping

to do a tour of duty on Alpha. Please tell me what you can. This will probably

sound so high school, but knowing you are so far away, on a different planet,

makes me miss you even more. - H.

To: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/24/98 13:26 GMT

Last night was cool and very clear - for London. I spent about half an

hour outside, watching the moon, thinking of you, and wondering what you were

doing. I'm looking forward to your call when you get back, I miss hearing your

voice almost as much as I miss you. - H.

To: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/25/98 12:09 GMT

I went out and looked at the moon again last night, John. For some reason

I feel closer to you, knowing you're up there, maybe looking at the Earth and

I hope thinking of me. When you get back and we can schedule some time

together... let's make it during the full phase of the moon if we can. I'd

like to make love with you under the light of a full moon. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

Date/Time: 11/25/98 01:07 GMT

Hello from the Moon, Helena! Okay, that sounds pretty stupid, but... it

feels so good to be back here. After the whole mess with the Ultra Probe and

Tony Cellini's illness, I sometimes wondered if I would ever see the Earth

from this perspective again. A lot of things have changed since I was last

here, especially me. Now when I look at the Earth, or watch it rise over the

Lunar horizon, my thoughts are of you; of the fact we're separated by

thousands and thousands of miles, and we're walking on two totally different,

yet intimately connected planets. One without the other would be so

drastically different as to be unrecognizable to us. That's how I think of us,

intimately connected and complimenting each other to make us complete and

familiar. I know you hope to do a tour on Alpha one day soon. I hope that

happens for you, Helena. Everyone should be able to experience the thrill, the

elation of being here, of gaining an entirely new perspective and view of our

home world. I also hope I can be with you, beside you when you have that first

glimpse of the Earth from here. - Happy Thanksgiving. J.

To: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/26/98 14:12 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving, John. I hope you're able to observe the day in some

way while on Alpha. A group of twenty or so Americans from work are planning a

Thanksgiving dinner this evening, after we're all off duty. Some of them are

complaining about the lack of endless football games today - I'm not one of

them.

I hope Alan and Melissa are having a good time at the ranch with my

parents. Dad can be a little... overpowering at times, but I'm sure Alan will

be able to hold his own. One things is sure -- they'll be eating better than

either one of us. Mom's corn bread stuffing is marvelous and her pecan pie is

legendary - at least in our family!

Your last message was lovely, John. I too want you beside me when I have

my first glimpse of Earth from the Moon. Realistically I know it isn't likely,

but it is nice to dream about it. Still, when we can be together to Earth-

gaze, it will be something I'll long remember. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.R.Koenig@ILFC.MBA.org

Date/Time: 11/27/98 01:36 GMT

How was your Thanksgiving in London? Turkey and fixings? Here we had

turkey roll instead of a real bird, but it was nice the food service made the

effort. Think I'll ever have a chance to taste your Mom's stuffing and pie? My

taste buds are ready and willing. I'm sure Alan and Melissa had a great time.

I head back for Earth early Saturday morning. Chances are I will be back

and will have called you before this message reaches you, but I wanted to send

it anyway. I'll TTY - live - very soon. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/27/98 14:04 GMT

You didn't tell me when to start sending messages to your regular e-mail

account again, so I'm taking a chance and doing so now. I've gotten only one

message from you while you were on Alpha, but you said there would be a delay,

and I know you're busy. I'm not concerned - yet. I hope everything went well,

John. I'm on call this weekend, but if I don't answer, leave a voice mail and

I'll get back to you as soon as I can. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/28/98 23:57 CST

I've just gotten home and am exhausted. Damn this six hour time

difference between us. You're sound asleep now, and I won't call and wake you.

I don't have duty at all on tomorrow so I will try to call about 6 PM your

time. I should just about be a wake by then. Goodnight. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 11/30/98 11:59 GMT

It was so good to hear your voice, John, talking to you. I've checked my

schedule and Christmas is do-able, but it will have to be here if you can work

it out. I can't get away for more than a day or two. Can you arrange to come

here? London at Christmas time is a truly marvelous experience. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 11/30/98 17:23 CST

Christmas in London sounds wonderful, Helena. Christmas in a bomb shelter

would be wonderful, so long as we are together. I don't know exact dates yet,

but I'll let you know as soon as my travel plans are confirmed. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/01/98 14:37 GMT

I should have a minimum of three days off over Christmas - Christmas

Day, Boxing Day, and the 27th, although I am scheduled to work Christmas Eve,

but I should be off by 11 PM. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/02/98 15:46 CST

Knowing your schedule helps a lot, Helena. Can I bring you anything from

here that's _not_ a Christmas gift? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/03/98 13:17 GMT

I can't think of anything that I want or need - except you! - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time 12/03/98 21:19 CST

<VBG>... What would you like _for_ Christmas? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/04/98 13:52 GMT

All I want for Christmas is you. What would you like for Christmas? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/04/98 22:27 CST

The same - just you. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/05/98 14:03 GMT

Also <VBG>. Should I arrange for theatre tickets? Is there anything

you'd especially like to see? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/05/98 20:25 CST

The only thing I really want to see is something that you can be

arrested for if you do it in public... :) If we're only going to have three to

four days, I'd rather spend them alone with you than sharing you with a crowd,

even for a few hours. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/06/98 11:59 GMT

Arrested? John,... now I'm getting even more anxious to see you. Okay,

no 'public' show, just alone time. Do you have any special requests for

Christmas dinner, any traditions you continue each year? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/06/98 18:45 CST

No traditions, not really. We usually had turkey for dinner, but I won't

be devastated if you'd rather have something else. I had turkey on

Thanksgiving - sort of. That's enough for me. No 'public' show... does that

mean there may be a private one? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/07/98 12:52 GMT

>does that mean there may be a private one? Perhaps. We'll just have to

wait and see. And perhaps, we need to start our own Christmas traditions,

John. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/07/98 23:27 CST

Traditions do have to start sometime. I would very much like for us to

start some. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/08/98 12:57 GMT

When I was a kid, I used to do a 'countdown' to a special event on my

calendar. This morning I found myself doing the same thing - a countdown of

the days until we can see each other again. Including today, approximately 17

- 18 days. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/09/98 12:17 CST

Including today, 16 days, Helena. My flight gets in late afternoon on 24

December. I've arranged for a rental car, so I can meet you wherever works

best for you. Just let me know. My travel itinerary is attached. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/10/98 14:21 GMT

We'll be throwing a party in the Children's Ward on Christmas Eve. How

are you with kids - especially sick ones? - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/10/98 20:47 CST

I don't know how I am with kids, I've never been around them much. Okay

I guess - I won't be a Grinch if you're worried... ;) - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/11/98 12:58 GMT

13 days... I didn't expect you'd be a Grinch, at least I hope not. Some

of the kids are very ill, and therefore look it. They won't be in the best of

moods, even with Christmas so near. If it is something you can't deal with

John, I don't want you to be uncomfortable. We can meet at my flat instead if

you'd rather. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/11/98 23:17 CST

I was in the hospital over Christmas one year when I was a kid - having

my tonsils out - which is probably nothing compared to what some of these kids

are there for, but I know how they'll feel. Meeting you at the hospital in the

Children's Ward will be fine. Happy to help any way I can. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/12/98 14:57 GMT

Thank you, John. The kids will appreciate it, especially if you can be

persuaded to share some of your 'space stories' with them. I'll appreciate it

too, but will show it in a much different way... - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/13/98 01:22 CST

Mmmmm, I like to be appreciated... 10 days. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/13/98 13:22 GMT

Sometimes I feel so silly - excited about Christmas being so close. As a

kid I never dreamed I'd be asking Santa for what I'm hoping will be awaiting

me Christmas morning - and it has *nothing* to do with gifts under the tree. -

H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/13/98 21:46 CST

Might I be part of what you're asking Santa for this year? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/14/98 12:57 GMT

Most definitely. I hope Santa isn't a prude. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/14/98 12:29 CST

As long as Santa delivers what you ask for, does it matter if he is a

prude? ;) -J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/15/98 13:54 GMT

No, I guess not... 9 days, John. When I'm alone at night, it seems like

an eternity. I know we've been apart more than we've been together ever since

we met, but I miss you beside me, especially at nights. I thought I'd gotten

used to it after Lee died, but waking up in your arms the few mornings we've

been together has shown me I was wrong. 9 days... - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/16/98 01:05 CST

I miss waking up holding you in my arms, kissing you awake, saying good

morning in very satisfying ways... 8 days. I'll call you tonight. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/16/98 12:27 GMT

I hope you have a chance to check your mail again today, John. I won't

be home until late tonight - after 11 PM my time I expect. We have a staff

meeting and they always drag on. The up side is they always cater it with a

take-away. Tonight it's Fish-n-Chips. I've been saving my fat intake for this

all week! - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/17/98 12:42 CST

It was wonderful hearing your voice, talking directly with you last

night, Helena. It made me miss you all the more, but also let me know seeing

you again in seven days - just one week - will be the best Christmas gift I

could hope for. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/18/98 13:17 GMT

You do know what to say to help cheer me up, John. I have to admit, when

you were talking about the Meta Probe, my mind wandered and I didn't really

hear what you said. Not because I wasn't interested, or bored, or tired, but

because I was too busy listening to the sound of your voice to hear what you

said. Sorry. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/18/98 22:14 CST

No one has ever said that about listening to my voice. It's nice. Thank

you. How can I be upset? - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/20/98 11:56 GMT

I didn't have a chance to check messages all day yesterday - a minor

emergency that is now under control. It was rather stressful while it lasted,

and I sure needed to be in your arms, hear your voice last night. Soon, I

know. Only 3.5 more days. Oh, geez! Now I'm counting half days too! I must

really have it bad for you, John Koenig. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/21/98 17:25 CST

Don't feel bad, I've been counting quarter days for about a week - I

just didn't want to admit it. Does that mean I have it really bad for you too?

- J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/22/98 14:02 GMT

I think we both have it pretty bad, and the cure is only hours away. I

only hope I can concentrate on work for the next 48 hours, until you arrive

and administer the first of many doses. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/22/98 23:44 CST

Same here. The closer my departure time comes, the more distracted I am

by thoughts of you. I've taken tomorrow afternoon off so I can do some

shopping and finish packing. See you *very* soon! - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From:H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/23/98 11:49 GMT

Have a good flight, John. See you tomorrow night. I'll be wearing

something that will remind me of you all day. - H.

To: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

From: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

Date/Time: 12/23/98 18:21 CST

I'm waiting for a load of laundry to dry so I thought I'd send you one

more message. I'm going to bed early and hoping I can sleep, but wondering

about what you'll be wearing tomorrow will probably keep me up, as will the

thought of being with you in less than 24 hours. I'll doze on the plane.

Seeing you will be all the stimulation I need to stay awake as long as I need

to tomorrow night. - J.

To: J.Koenig57@orbit.com

From: H.S.Russell@netmail.net

Date/Time: 12/24/98 06:04 GMT

It's just past midnight for you, John. I hope you are sleeping well,

despite thoughts of me and what I'll be wearing tonight, because I do plan to

keep you awake and active well into the small hours of the morning. 12 hours

and counting. - H.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Amanda Russell

January 26, 2000