Floating & Flaming - Syd Barrett

Now There's a Look in Your Eyes...

It didn't make any sense.

"That's it?" I said aloud, alone in my bedroom.

Syd's sporadic letters had been understandable, he was more than occupied with the tour, anyone wouldn't have time to write. But his final letter was jarring.

My eyes raked the lines over and over again, desperately searching for hidden words that were simply not there.

"Dear Piper, I'm alive, Syd," I muttered.

I hadn't been overly concerned with his lack of correspondence, or at least that's what I told myself. It wouldn't have been as depressing if I had more contact with Lindsey, or anyone in the outside world for that matter. My parents were notoriously strict. That's why they had insisted on an all-girls school in the first place. No boys, no corruption of their sweet Piper.

I smirked at the thought. Little do they know...

My thoughts were snapped back to Syd with dizzying speed.

I tiptoed out into the hall. I'd been forced to wait after dark to open the letter I'd quickly snatched from the mailbox as soon as it arrived. Luckily, this also gave me a chance to get some help.

I glanced around myself. The only sounds were my anxious breathing, quickened pulse, and my father snoring down the hall. I was able to make it down the stairs, avoiding the creaky spots with expert agility. With a sigh of relief, I picked up the kitchen phone and dialed Lindsey.

"Piper. It's 2 in the morning. This couldn't wait until after my third-favorite recurring Paul McCartney dream?" Lindsey said, groaning in annoyance.

"I'm sorry, Lin. This is important. I'm assuming that you know about the homecoming show on Saturday?"

"Of course. Richie is still my prime source for all things Floyd related. What's on your mind?"

I explained the odd final message from Syd.

"How polite of him to inform you, after WEEKS, that the madman lives!" Lindsey's exhaustion fueled the annoyance that permeated her voice.

"I'm worried about him, Lin. I have this feeling - this intuition - that something happened during the tour. I'm not sure what, but something is definitely off. I need to get to that show and talk to him."

"This is going to require some of my finest work. We've barely been able to hang out during regular hours this summer. How are we ever going to smuggle you out for an evening downtown?!"

Beforehand, the plan was for Syd and I to meet at a safer time. The show would go on without my attendance. It was too risky.

I took a deep breath. "I know. If we got caught, I'd never be allowed out of the house ever again! But we have to try. Surely, you understand, Lindsey."

Lindsey sensed my determination and sighed. "Fine, I give in. But if we get caught, I am not taking the heat!"

"Thank you so much, Lindsey! You're the best friend anyone could ask for!" I grinned.

"Yeah, yeah. Can I sleep now?"

***

Saturday Night

Since there were no convenient trees outside my second-floor window, we'd hatched a slightly more elaborate plan. That afternoon, I covered the striker of the back door with masking tape, thereby deadening the sound of it opening and closing. Thankfully, my father didn't notice as he sleepily clicked the deadbolt in place. The deadbolt was quiet enough to unlock, so I wasn't concerned about it.