A knock on the window made her eyes pop open. Lola, the sassy gnomette, wearing a black and white polka dot cone hat and matching glittery dress waved back at her. Marcy watched as the tiny woman scribbled something in bright, candy-red lipstick on the glass.
The squeaky voice yelled what she’d written. Keep the faith. With a wave and snap of her fingers, Lola was gone, leaving a trail of smoke in her wake.
As the sound of Lola’s husky chuckle faded away outside the window, Marcy knew she was right where she belonged all along.
We invite you to visit
Jill and Julia’s website –
http://www.jillandjulia.com
The Star Traveler
Victoria Houseman
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
June 30, 2007
“We buried Mama today, Onyx,” Hayley Stone said to her black Labrador Retriever. Her voice choked from shedding endless tears. Her furry companion replied with a soft whimper, putting her head in Hayley’s lap. They sat together on a couch in the sunroom, watching the late afternoon waves of the Atlantic lap the shoreline.
Lillian Stone had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years earlier. Being the only unattached child of four siblings Hayley hadn’t hesitated to move Miss Lillian in with her then. Besides, this home had been the family’s summer house for the past forty years. It had weathered hurricanes, broken teenage summer romances, and been a part of birth and death. The family refuge from the hazy, high humidity days of summertime in Charleston. Mama loved nothing more than to see her babies–and then their babies–play in the sand and ocean.
No one in the family had minded when Hayley asked if she could live there full-time after her bitter divorce six years earlier. She hadn’t thought twice when the devastating diagnosis had come, and issued the invitation to her mother. She felt it only fitting that Mama spend her last years with whatever she had left of her memories in the refuge she so loved.
Lillian had agreed without hesitation while decisions were still hers to make. She seemed pleased, though she knew that any of her four offspring would’ve been honored to take care of their mama in her time of need. And while she’d loved her children equally, Hayley had clearly been special. A change of life baby, born twelve years after what Lillian thought was her last child, Hayley had always marched to her own song.
After the death of their father, Lillian had held the family together the way she’d done everything in life–with the grace and dignity of a true Southern woman. She’d faced the heinous Alzheimer’s with no less courage.
Hayley drew in a cleansing breath and let out a long, slow sigh. She had to let the memories of her mother emerge as they were ready, but just for today she’d force them back down in her soul. They were just too damn painful. She fingered the white gold locket she wore at her throat, a final gift from her mother, and surveyed the paper plates with half-eaten food and partially filled cups. She had to start cleaning now that all those who had come to pay their respects to Miss Lillian had gone.
“Five more minutes, girl, then we get to cleaning, okay?” She scratched the big head and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the blue ticking striped pillows.
“Woof.” Onyx rolled her head into Hayley’s hand.
“We’ve got to head back to Spartanburg, baby sis,” James said in his soft drawl. He sat next to her on the floral chintz sofa and drew her head to his shoulder. “You were a wonderful daughter, Hayley. You took terrific care of Mama, especially these past six months, when the disease totally ravished her mind.”
Gently winding her long, braid around his hand, he kissed the top of her head.
“I’m a doctor, James. Why couldn’t I do more for her?” She looked at him and tears threatened to spill.
“You were a daughter, Hayley. First and foremost, you were her daughter. And, overachiever that you are,” he said as he smiled, “you went above and beyond to make her last years comfortable.” James chucked her under the chin with his thumb and forefinger, lifting her face to his. He met and held her gaze. “You want to honor Mama’s memory?” At her nod, he continued, “You move on with your life.”
“You’re right.” She gently moved the sleeping dog’s head off her lap and onto the couch. Standing, she straightened her blouse. “I think I’ll go back to work sooner than planned.” Her mind made up, Hayley set about tidying the sunroom.
A soft, brown hand covered hers as she reached for plates on the coffee table. “I’ll do it, child. You go on now and hug your brother goodbye.”
Hayley walked her brother and his family to the front porch. She watched them drive away until she could no longer see their car. Then she returned to help Alice.
The petite woman had been with the Stone family since well before any of the children had been born. Steeped in Gullah heritage, she’d regale Hayley with stories of her youth as she braided Hayley’s hair while helping her get ready for school. It had been part of their daily ritual when Hayley was younger. Often she spoke the native tongue and Hayley had exploded in peals of laughter. She didn’t know Gullah, but had always loved the sound when Alice used it. Alice and her family were like extended family to the Stones. Through the decades, they’d shared in one another’s happiness and tears.
Hayley attempted a feeble smile, but it felt forced. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. “I can’t believe she’s really gone, Alice.”
“Baby girl, Miss Lillian left us a long time ago. These past six months she wasn’t inside that shell of a breathin’ body.” Alice continued to put dirty paper plates into a garbage sack. “The Man Upstairs done called her soul home a long time ago. It just took some time for Miss Lillian to get the message and allow her body to follow.”
Onyx let out a small ‘woof’ and stretched out to her full length on the sofa, causing Alice to raise an eyebrow in disapproval. “Humph. A dog on the furniture.”
At that, Hayley had to smile. “She’s my girl.”
“She’s a dog and a large one at that!”
Hayley put her hands over Onyx’s ears in mock horror as a small giggle escaped.
“What I would love,” Alice’s tone turned serious, drawing Hayley’s attention to her face, “is for you to have a human baby. You know it was your mama’s fondest wish for you.”
Bless Alice for her honesty. This woman was like a second mother to her. While it tore Hayley to her core to have it said, she knew the words were the truth. Her mother’s last wish before the light left her eyes was to see Hayley settled. Wonderful husband, cherubic baby, a mother’s dream for her young girl.
Dropping into her mama’s favorite wingback chair, she buried her head into her hands. “It’s not my dream, Alice. I have my dream. A thriving medical practice, a terrific beach house in the greatest place in the world, my Onyx.”
“Uh-huh.”
Hayley clasped her hands together, a pleading gesture. “I’ve done the marriage thing, Alice. You know, been there, done that, got the dang t-shirt. All I can say is I’m thankful there were no children because then I would’ve been tied to my creep of a husband forever.”
“You’re scared, Hayley. And yes, you have every right to be. Your first marriage was plain awful—but Stones don’t quit.”
Hayley rolled her eyes. “No really, Alice. Tell me what you really think. Don’t hold back.”
Alice drew herself up, fisted hands on hips. “I’ll tell you this, Dr. Hayley Stone, you ain’t too old to scold for gettin’ sassy with me.”
“I’m sorry, Alice, but it’s just not in the cards for me. I’ve accepted that. Why can’t everyone else stop pestering me about it and stop trying to match-make me?”
But deep in her soul, in that place that always holds the truth she often fought to deny, Hayley knew this wise old Gullah woman was right. She wouldn’t risk her heart again only to have it trampled. Marriage to a fellow intern, a beau from medical school, had felt so right. They’d had the same goals, the same dreams. Coming home after a late shift to find him in bed w
ith a nurse that looked to be barely out of puberty and then finding out that this hadn’t been the first time or the first nurse, had sent Hayley retreating to the beach house.
“...maybe it’s in the stars.”
“Huh? I’m sorry, Alice, what were you saying?”
“I was sayin’ that maybe your future isn’t in the cards, as you done said, but it’s in the stars. Tonight’s the Blue Moon and you know what that means.” Alice nodded knowingly while putting furniture back in place. After moving three chairs, the sofa and the coffee table back into place, Alice grumbled, “People come to pay their respect, but can’t show enough to keep the furniture in place.”
Hayley stretched, standing on her tiptoes while pushing her arms overhead to the ceiling. Suddenly the day’s activities caught up with her and she felt weary. “Alice, you know that’s just a myth.” She began to recite the lore she’d heard since childhood, “The night of the Blue Moon brings the Star Traveler, the one who grants wishes of true love to those who truly believe and deserve. Or some such drivel. All it really means is that we are having two full moons in one month.”
“Just ‘cause you cain’t put it in one of those tubes doesn’t mean it cain’t happen. You help families have babies that never thought they would be so blessed.”
“That’s different. I use methods that have been researched, studied for years. Nothing miraculous about fertility treatments.” She continued to help Alice clean.
“I wonder what all those happy parents would have to say about that?”
Hayley shrugged, too bone-weary to argue the point.
An arm went around her waist and hugged. “Stop now, baby girl, you know I’m perfectly capable of finishing cleaning and setting the house to rights. Why don’t you go and change your clothes and walk the beach. You know how much you love it and how it relaxes you.” She turned to look at Onyx, snoring on the sofa. “And it would get that animal off the couch.”
As usual, Alice was right. Hayley did love the beach. Looking out the window at the dusky sun casting a soft pink glow on the Atlantic, she couldn’t believe how quickly the day had flown by. A walk on the beach at sunset would be the perfect way to stretch her tired muscles and chase her sadness away, if only for a short time. Spoken simply, yet direct, Alice’s words cut straight to Hayley’s heart. She needed to think on them while she re-evaluated her life.
***
Donovan de Lyon sighed–a heavy, tired sigh. He knew it was his duty in life to take over the family business when the time came. He’d been preparing for it for as long as he could remember. He had little choice, being a Star Traveler, from the de Lyon line of Star Travelers, the most respected and most revered in the galaxy. He would be Master Star Traveler, overseer of all, when his father stepped down. And, Donovan felt the time might be nearing. His father grew weary and wanted to spend his days with his mother. Donovan dreaded that day, but how could he tell his parents that he wanted no part of their family heritage? One that dated back thousands of years? It would break their hearts, but Donovan’s heart just wasn’t in it.
For now, though, while he puzzled over his future, he’d carry on his family’s work—traveling from planet to planet, fulfilling wishes of happiness and true love and finding soul mates for those that deserved and believed in such things. While his parents had the best marriage he’d ever seen, and traveling the galaxy he’d seen plenty, he doubted true love was his destiny. Giving it to others was one thing; finding it himself proved to be an entirely different matter. The women of his world were only interested in him because he was a Star Traveler, a de Lyon Star Traveler, at that.
“Donovan?”
He turned to see his mother standing in the entrance of the family observatory, holding a tray with food and drink. She looked lovely in her flowing robes of rose and purple silk, embroidered with sparkling crystals.
“Good evening, mother. I’m going over the travel plans for this evening. Earth is having a Blue Moon and that always promises to be a busy night.”
Rhea entered the room and set the tray on the worktable, careful not to upset the planetary charts. Peering through the high-powered telescope, she looked at Earth.
“It’s a beautiful world. It is said our paths crossed long ago and that is why we are as human as they are and vice versa.”
“Yes,” Donovan agreed while finishing his flight plans. “They are the only species in the galaxy that match our genetic coding.”
“I hear they have some very lovely women on Earth,” Rhea ventured.
“Mother! Please...” He raised his head from his work and looked at her. “I know you mean well, but I just want everyone to leave me alone when it comes to my love life–or lack of it.”
Seeing the crestfallen look on her face, Donovan stood and gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry, Mother, I don’t mean to sound cross, but everyone seems to feel it’s open season on my love life. Everyone has someone that they want me to meet. I’m a grown man. I can find my own mate—if she exists.” He was sorry he added that when he saw the distress it caused his mother.
“Your father and I only want you happy, darling.”
“I appreciate the concern you and Father have for me. I really do, but I am happy. I have my family, my work...” he let the words trail off, as even he didn’t believe them.
“Earth’s Blue Moon is about to show itself and I have much to do before I depart.” He hugged his mother and kissed her temple. “We’ll talk when I return, Mother, I promise. Just, please, don’t worry about me.”
“It’s what a parent does, no matter how grown her children.”
***
Justus de Lyon entered the massive observatory, but had missed his son by moments. His eyes scanned the room until they rested on Rhea, his beloved wife. She stood on the deck of the observatory, looking out the wall-high glass windows. Constellations shone brilliantly. Coming up from behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist and bent to place a kiss on her cheek.
“Tears, my love?” He turned her toward him and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs.
“Oh, Justus, I wish for Donovan a love like ours, is that so much to ask?” Her eyes sought his and reflected concern for their inflexible son.
Justus sighed and hugged his wife to his chest. They turned to look out the window just as Donovan’s starship ejected from the holding bay beneath them.
***
After a quick shower, Hayley donned denim shorts and a red T-shirt. She decided not to blow-dry her hair, but to let it dry naturally in the evening breezes from the ocean. It would be a mass of waist-length curls by the time it had finished drying, but she didn’t care, she always felt free letting her hair dry naturally. Her mama had smiled and called her The Bohemian.
“Come on, Onyx. Let’s go see if we can find that silly old blue moon.”
Opening the door off the sunroom, Hayley took a deep breath and held it for a few beats before slowly exhaling. There was nothing quite like the scent of the June night air off the Atlantic; salty and fresh and warm. She jumped the three steps to the ground, having decided to forgo her sandals and feel the sand on her bare feet.
“Come on girl, let’s run!” She took off at a moderate trot, Onyx on her heels. Running along the shoreline, her feet sank into damp sand, squishing between her toes. The heavenly feeling, along with waves around her ankles, helped raise her spirits.
She stopped short and stared at the night sky—at the most beautiful full moon she’d ever witnessed. Full and clear, she reached a hesitant hand skyward, as if to touch it. She knew ice crystals in the atmosphere caused the halo around the moon, still, there was something magical about it. Almost...ethereal.
Hayley moved away from the water, farther onto the beach. Sitting, she drew her knees to her chest and locked her arms around them. It was impossible to take her eyes off the glorious moon. Her furry companion sat beside her and both stared at the orb in companionable silence.
After a few moments, Hayley leaned close t
o Onyx and whispered into her ear. “What do you say, Onyx? Should we give it a shot?” At this point in her life, nothing could hurt, not even wishing on a moon.
Closing her eyes tightly, she intoned, “Star bright, star light...oops, wrong one!”
Onyx gave her a woeful look.
“Okay, okay.” Hayley giggled. “I’ll take it seriously.” She kept her eyes open this time and stared at the moon. “Look, I’m not very good at this. I’m a scientist, you know? But, if there is anything, anything at all to this Blue Moon legend, I wouldn’t mind a little love sent my way.” She stopped, looked at Onyx, then back to the Blue Moon. “Okay. A lot of love.”
A feeling washed over her that she couldn’t explain. It was as if something inside her, something locked away for so long that she didn’t know it existed, burst forth from its cavern. Now that she’d unleashed her feelings, she couldn’t stop wishing.
“I’ll make someone a great wife. I’m loyal and honest...and I’ll love with everything I have inside me. All right, so I’m a lousy cook, but I’ll make up for it in other areas.” Pausing, she rested her head on Onyx’s neck. “I can’t believe I’m doing this, Onyx. Wishing on a moon based on some folklore. Yet, it feels, I don’t know, right?”
Taking a deep breath, she continued as if the moon could really pass her message on to the Star Traveler. “I just don’t want to be hurt anymore, you know? There has to be a good man out there–somewhere. Someone who’ll accept what I have to give and want to give me the same love in return. It’s not so much to ask, is it?”
Tears fell now. Tears for her mama, tears for her rotten marriage and tears for her loneliness. Hayley finally let the truth reveal itself to her. She wanted to love and be loved.
Onyx began dancing in circles, coming up on her hind legs every so often and letting out excited yelps.
“What is it, girl? Is something there?”
Hayley looked around the beach. Most of the tourists had gone in for the evening, but a few joggers still lined the shore. Mostly, though, the area was quiet. Even so, Onyx kept up her excited dance. Something caught Hayley’s eye and she looked back in the direction of the moon. A bright streak of light flashed across the moon. A shooting star? Hayley stood and peered closer. Odd, but the light seemed to be getting brighter and gave off shimmers of heat. Frozen to the spot, her breath clogged in her throat. There was no way this was a shooting star because if it was, it was coming right toward her.
Blue Moon Enchantment (Once In A Blue Moon Series) Page 7
