Long Snows Moon

by Stacey Darlington

  “What are you going to name yours?”

  “She already has a name, she was the first born under the Ripe Berries Moon so I’ll call her Berry.”

  “What’s Ripe Berries Moon?”

  “Its Native American astrology but it’s done under the moon instead of the sun. Like I’ll bet you’re a Virgo and you just had a birthday.”

  “Yeah, my birthday was September fifteenth. Are you a mind reader or something?”

  “I can just tell stuff about people. I get it from my mom. She calls it intuition I call it knowing. She’s a medicine woman.”

  “She's a doctor?”

  The girl nodded. “She's a psychiatrist, an M.D., she has a Ph.D. in Botany, and she's a good old fashioned medicine woman, descended from a long line of shamans and healers. Plus, she's a cool mom.”

  “That is cool,” Devon nodded.

  “Anyway, since your birthday was September fifteenth, you were born under the Harvest Moon. It was my mom’s idea to name the first-born pup after their moon cycle for the pedigree papers. It’s like the dog’s birth certificate.”

  “Okay, I get it, now. So, give me an Indian name.”

  “You are Shadow Wolf.”

  “Devon,” Claire called.

  “Shadow Wolf, that’s awesome,” Devon said. “Maybe we can stop back by here on our way home. I didn't even get a chance to look in the store.”

  “Sure, try to stop by. My mom and I make dream catchers, medicine pouches, arrowheads, all kinds of stuff. I even sell some of my paintings.”

  “That’s cool. I’ve never met a real artist. But, I couldn’t tell you were Indian.”

  “I’m half.”

  “Well, you don’t look it. Let me braid your hair like an Indian squaw.”

  “No, that’s so cliché.”

  “Come on, you have beautiful hair, I bet it looks awesome as hell.”

  Jameson stared at the ground, shyly.

  “I’m sorry,” Devon said. “My aunt Claire’s right. I have a big, filthy mouth. I just love your hair.

  “That’s okay.” Jameson smiled. “You are just a little wild, you can’t help it. Come on, I’ll let you braid it. What the hell.”

  They giggled and Jameson pulled Devon to the ground. The puppies tumbled over their laps until they fell asleep. Devon stroked Jameson's long hair, separating it with her fingers.

  “Your hair is so dark it’s almost blue,” Devon whispered. “But your eyes are an amazing yellowish-green color. I've never seen anyone who looked like you.”

  Jameson blushed and pet Berry. “My great, great-grandparents were Navajo and Sioux. They settled here and joined with the Lakota. My dad was a white man so I am a half-breed like the puppies. Look, your eyes are the same color blue as my puppy.” She held her up for Devon to see.

  “You're right, they are the same color. She could be my daughter if I was a wolf,” Devon said.

  “Devon,” Claire hollered.

  Devon rolled her eyes and sighed, “I hate that bitch.”

  “Do you really hate?”

  Devon frowned. “Not hate, I guess. She’s just so bossy and controlling.”

  “Your mother loves her.”

  “Yeah, my mom does have a way with animals, get it?” Devon laughed as she braided.

  “Yeah, that's funny. But, seriously, she can’t be all bad if your mom loves her. In a way you love her, too.”

  “I guess I love her a little, but she’s still a bitch,” Devon insisted.

  Jameson raised a quizzical brow. Devon felt conscious of her language. Claire was right for sure. She squirmed under the girl’s cat-like gaze, hypnotized by her wild eyes.

  “You’re a mind reader, aren’t you?” Devon hurried to finish the braids.

  “Yep,” Jameson laughed. Her eyes flashed as she revealed her secret. “I can read your mind right now.”

  Devon watched Jameson's mouth and wondered what she tasted like.

  “I doubt that,” Devon tossed her head. “I doubt that very much.”

  “Well, then tell me what you were thinking about.”

  “I wish I could fly away from my life and not worry about stupid things like boarding school and proper etiquette.”

  “In your mind you can fly here whenever you want.” Jameson said.

  “Devon, honey,” her mother called.

  “I really have to go.”

  “Good-bye, Shadow Wolf. Good luck on your journey.”

  “What journey?”

  “Your life.” She got up and pulled Devon to her feet. “The grand journey of life, your Medicine Walk.” She pulled Devon closer and whispered, “Walk lightly and listen well, there will be signs of the Great Mystery all around you.”

  Devon nodded, not understanding but accepting. She withdrew her hands, feeling light-headed.

  “Your hands are hot.”

  Jameson smiled at Devon and her cat eyes twinkled. “Here, take this in case you don’t find what you’re looking for.” She untied a leather string from around her neck and gave the arrowhead to Devon.

  “Wow, that’s amazing.”

  “It confirms our friendship. It’s to remind you even when you’re alone we are still connected. We are all one.”

  “We are all one,” Devon repeated. “Thank you. I’ll never forget that.”

  Devon removed her expensive silver locket. She bowed her head for Jameson to tie the leather around her neck.

  “I love it, I really do,” Devon breathed. “I’ll never take it off. Then you take this.”

  She pressed the pendant in Jameson's palm.

  “Are you sure? It looks awfully expensive.”

  “Yeah, but it’s a trade, you have to take it,” Devon insisted. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”

  “I will wear it and I will treasure it.” She put it on.

  “Oh no, the puppies escaped,” Devon hollered.

  They’d left the greenhouse door ajar. The puppies woke up and discovered the opening. Jameson managed to herd them back inside, but one scampered toward the woods. Devon dashed after it as it burrowed under a tangle of dead branches.

  “Come back here, puppy, you’ll get lost in there.” Devon sprinted into the woods. “Where did you go?”

  It was as if she had stepped into another world. Tangled brush thatched with vines make it hard to move. Devon shoved her body through the branches breaking them with her hands as they swatted back at her, slapping her face in disapproval.

  She saw the puppy ahead, caught in a snarl of roots.

  “Are you okay?” Devon cooed. She rescued him and held him close. “You shouldn’t run away, the woods are dangerous for a tiny creature.”

  Branches snapped behind her, then a terrible growl. She turned to meet the menacing eyes of an angry wolf.

  Devon clutched the puppy against her chest and met the wolf’s stare. The trees were crowded, making it impossible to run. She touched her arrowhead as she hummed a song she didn’t know she knew. She held out the puppy for him to sniff. He did, no longer growling, he sat. Devon sat beside him and stroked his grimy coat, not caring about his dirt. The wolf closed his eyes and slept.

  Jameson bounded into the woods on a path that eluded Devon. Devon put her finger to her lips and pointed to the sleeping wolf. Jameson frowned and motioned for Devon to come.

  Before she got up, Devon kissed the wolf’s snout, and followed Jameson out of the woods. She handed her back the puppy.

  “Are you crazy? That was a wolf.”

  Devon frowned. “I know.”

  “Devon,” Claire called.

  “I have to go. Thank you for the arrowhead.”

  “His name is Two Stars. He is their father.”

  “I know that, too,” Devon grinned. “I don’t know how, but the knowing popped into my head.”

  “I call him Two Stars even though I know his real name. He thinks I can’t pronounce it.”

  “What is it?”

  “Ocumwhowurst.” J
ameson shrugged when she said it. “It’s not that hard to say.”

  “Ocumwhowurst,” Devon stated. “Yeah, it’s not hard at all. I like Two Stars better, though.”

  “So do I.”

  Devon followed her back into the greenhouse to return the puppy to its place.

  “My mom and Claire would kill me if they knew what I just did,” Devon chuckled.

  Her chuckle became a hiccup when Jameson slammed the door behind them.

  Jameson's brows bent when she shouted at Devon. “You shouldn’t have approached Two Stars like that. He is extremely dangerous and unpredictable. I cannot believe how reckless you are.”

  “Well, I’m still alive and I rescued your dog. Are you seriously mad at me?”

  “You must respect wild animals. To kill is part of their temperament.”

  “What's the big deal?”

  Jameson dropped her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t think you understand much about the world and the laws of nature. I’m scared for you.”

  Devon put her hand on Jameson's shoulder. “Don't worry. I have your magic arrowhead to protect me, like it did in the woods.”

  “I hope that will be enough to keep you safe,” Jameson said. “Be careful. Even the highest predator is prey to something.”

  “You are wise for a kid. How old are you?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “I turned fourteen a few months ago. Don't be mad. I will never go into the woods and talk to sleeping wolves.”

  Jameson cocked her neck as if trying to decide if Devon was pulling her leg.

  “I'm serious. I will be careful on my journey of life.”

  “Okay, sorry I freaked out but you scared me.”

  “I wish I didn’t have to leave,” Devon took Jameson's hand. “We could be best friends.” Devon surprised herself by hugging her.

  Jameson returned her embrace. Devon smelled the wildness of the outdoors in Jameson's hair. She felt the softness of her cheek against her face. Was it Jameson's heartbeat or her own that hammered in her chest? Devon trembled when Jameson slid her hands up her spine and laced her fingers on the back of her neck. She pulled her close. Their noses touched.

  “Respect this life,” she whispered.

  Their eyes locked. Jameson rummaged her fingers through Devon's hair.

  It was an exotic move for a young girl and something Devon had only seen in movies. Devon saw her reflection in Jameson eyes, longing for the kiss. Devon closed her eyes.

  Jameson whispered, “I taste like this.” Their lips met.

  “Goddamn it Devon, now!” Claire bellowed.

  Devon growled. She felt like a wolf, ready to bite.

  “You better go.” Jameson released her.

  Devon dashed from the greenhouse and dove into the backseat of the car. She pressed her face against the leather to hide her shame, panting as though she’d sprinted a mile. They practically kissed!

  “Put on your seatbelt,” Claire snapped, “and take these wipes. You’re getting the seats dirty. I knew you’d forget to wash your hands.”

  Claire flung two packs of moistened towelettes. One hit Devon in the eye.

  “What the f …?”

  “Don’t say it!” Claire warned as she cast Devon a Medusa stare in the rear-view

  “Wave good-bye to your friend,” Analise said.

  Jameson sat on the porch next to Ducks. She put her fingers to her lips and blew Devon a covert kiss as she fondled the locket.

  “We are all one.” Devon opened the window. “Ocumwhowurst. That’s easy for us to pronounce.”

  Jameson looked more like a woman and less like a child.

  “Did you have fun, Honey?” Analise asked.

  “Of course she had fun. She was rooting around in the dirt like a little savage with a little savage.”

  “She not a savage, you bitch,” Devon snarled. “Even dogs hate you!”

  “Damn you, Devon, how dare you speak to me that way. Buckle your fucking seat-belt for god's sake.

  “Language, Claire,” Analise gasped.

  Devon laughed so hard she fell to the floor.

  “If this is the way this trip is going to be then I will turn this car around and drive home now,” Claire fumed.

  “Calm down, Claire,” Analise begged. “Now, Devon, apologize to Claire immediately.”

  Devon giggled. The way Claire said fuck was hysterical.

  “You have a fresh mouth, Devon Louise Van Sykes,” Claire said.

  “So do you, Claire Louise Sommers-Danforth. Way, much filthier than mine. But, now I have your big shoes to fucking grow in to.”

  That night dinner had been a disaster, but Devon could have predicted that.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Devon, go sit in the car and wait there,” Claire ordered. “Make sure you lock yourself in and don’t open the doors for anyone but us. Go.”

  Devon shoved her untouched plate of spaghetti and meatballs away and made a grand fuss of leaving the table. She didn’t even bother looking at her mother for moral support, knowing all too well she would side with Claire. She stomped away from the table, but not before casting Claire a murderous look.

  Claire returned the stare with equal wrath.

  Devon pretended to leave but hid in a nearby alcove and eavesdropped.

  “Claire, I let her have the wine, it’s my fault,” Analise apologized.

  “She drank the whole glass.”

  “We should have been paying more attention.”

  “She’s used to getting away with murder, Analise. I do question your parenting skills sometimes,” Claire stated, tossing back her own wine and refilling both of their glasses.

  “That’s a bit harsh. I love my daughter and I try to be a good mother. You can’t expect me to keep her on a leash.”

  “Manners and discipline are what I expect. Trevor is a model son, meticulously groomed, polite, and even enjoys doing his own laundry.”

  “Devon is intelligent, inquisitive, and extremely sensitive. She is the kind of person who has to experience things herself, not take someone’s word as rote. Besides, this isn’t a competition, Claire.”

  “You know I love Devon, Analise.”

  “If you love her be more patient with her. If you love me, be more patient, period.” Analise put her hand on Claire’s.

  “I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I’m used to being in charge and running things, you know it’s hard for me to turn off. And it’s been much too long since we’ve been together, if you know what I mean.”

  “I know what you mean, Claire, and of course we’re both frustrated, but if you don’t stop being a bitch I’m not going to want to share a bed with you, if you know what I mean.”

  “Sexual blackmail?” Claire whispered with a devilish smile. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Try me,” Analise raised a brow.

  “Okay, I’ll put away my guns,” Claire conceded. “But I still don’t think it is right to let Devon drink, period.”

  “That’s duly noted and I agree.”

  “And she has been mouthy with me.”

  “Growing pains, Claire, that’s all. Please, can we drop it now? Let’s get her something else to eat.”

  “She had a plate of spaghetti that she refused,” Claire said.

  “You ordered it with meatballs. She doesn’t eat meat, why can’t you respect that?”

  “She needs proper nutrition.” Claire began.

  “She’s my daughter,” Analise said looking away. “You hate kids, remember?”

  “I thought we were doing this together,” Claire snapped, trying her best to suppress her anger.

  “If you want to do it together let’s do it. I am ready. I have been ready. It has been a long time since we devised our plan to be together. It has been over ten years and we still live in separate houses, I am married to a work-a-holic who is never home, and who has the sex drive of a rock, thank god. You live with man with the ambition of a pair of socks who only through his good loo
ks and his family tree was able to get elected to office.”

  “And my hard work,” Claire reminded her.

  Analise nodded. “Of course. The reality is that he gets to sleep with you every night and wake up with you in the morning. I don’t even want to know what goes on in between.”

  Claire began to say something but Analise shushed her.

  “Please, don’t say a word. I can tell when you’re lying with my eyes closed. I don’t want to know. Don’t make a fool of me.”

  “I love you and only you,” Claire murmured. She leaned forward and whispered. “The plan wasn’t supposed to go on this long and you know that. You are the one who wanted to have kids. We would have been out of the marriages by now and as wealthy as I knew we’d be.”

  “I’ve put away plenty of money,” Analise reasoned. “I say we leave now. Take the kids and just leave. Why can’t we?”

  “I think we should wait until the children are in college,” Claire replied, her eyes far away and hardening.

  “What’s the real reason, Claire?”

  Claire was silent and Analise noticed the vein on her temple getting larger.

  “What are you trying to prove?”

  Claire fixed her with eyes that said they had never met.

  “When is it going to be the right time?”

  “When I say,” Claire scowled.

  * * * *

  It was a stupid ass glass of wine, the world didn't stop turning. Devon sat in the back seat of the car wondering how hard she would have to choke her throat to make Claire's eyes pop out. She giggled. She liked the way the wine made her feel. Fearless and wild. She studied the arrowhead by the light of the moon. She had stopped listening to them yak after the sexual blackmail part, whatever that was. It was dumb blabber. She closed her eyes. A sense of peace washed over her. Touching the amethyst arrowhead made her feel clean, whole, and pure.

  She thought of Jameson. She closed her eyes and fantasized about her soft lips brushing hers. The way she smelled. How she really did read her thoughts. The wine made her head spin and opened her mind to imagine what might have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted.

  Chapter Twelve

  Devon huddled against the ground. The air was still. She had no idea whether or not she was sleeping. The things she saw and heard seemed best explained as dreams or the result of fatigue and despair. Perhaps the bourbon.