Moondance
Page 1
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Copyright
Dedication
What Readers Are Saying
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Earthbound
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Water Rising
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Moondance
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Althea’s Choice
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Life is Like a Ride
More from Karen M. Black
Reflection Questions
Althea’s Reading List
About the Author
Moondance-Ricochet
Copyright © 2008 by Karen M. Black
All Rights Reserved. Published and printed in Canada by Ricochet Publishing, a division of Ricochet Consulting Ltd. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or used in any form or manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in reviews and critical articles.
For reader comments, orders, press and media inquiries,
see www.karenmblack.com.
FIRST EDITION
Cover design by Angel Guerra, Archetype
Cover image by Vinita Phord, Beryl Communications
ebook production by Tannice Goddard, Soul Oasis Networking
Author photo by Leigh Tynan www.tynanstudio.com
Makeup by Suzanne Cyr www.prettiface.com
Publication consultation by Arnold Gosewich
Lyrics to Sowelu, The Line and Tribe by Willy Porter (Falling Forward), used with permission.
Permission for quote by Bill Hicks requested.
National Library Archives Cataloguing in Publication
Black, Karen M. (Karen Mary), 1964–
Moondance / Karen M. Black.
e-pub
978-0-9784838-0-7
Also available in paperback
ISBN 978-0-9784838-1-4
1. Title.
PS8603.l255M65 2008 C813’.6 C2007-906414-0
Disclaimer: Moondance is a work of fiction. All characters, events and some settings described are imaginary, and any similarity to real persons, places or events is purely coincidental. Real brand names, company names or names of public personalities may be employed for credibility as they are part of our culture. Regardless of context, their use is meant neither as endorsement nor criticism. All other names, products or brands are inventions of the author’s imagination. Ricochet Publishing and its directors, employees, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and assigns disclaim any liability or responsibility for the author’s statements, words, ideas, criticisms or observations. Ricochet Publishing assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.
In loving memory of Yvonne Karkas.
When it was dark, you were a light.
What readers are saying
MAGICAL — I love the depth, spirit and magic of Karen Black’s first book, Moondance. It will resonate with your heart, challenge your sense of mystery and inspire your soul. — Linda Brady, President, Creative Choices, Inc. and author of Discovering Your Soul Mission
THOUGHT-PROVOKING — Moondance is the kind of book that not only entertains and keeps your heart involved, but also informs and keeps your head engaged. Karen skillfully weaves her themes together to create a moving, thought-provoking novel that will leave the reader thinking about the book long after it’s finished. I thoroughly enjoyed this read! — Cynthia Barlow, President, Constellation Learning and author of Chicken Shift for the Soul
FAST-PACED — A message left on Karen’s voice mail (verbatim) “Karen, it’s Dee, I had to call and tell you I’ve just read the first 119 pages of your book and oh my God it’s absolutely incredible. I am sitting in a mall doing a promotion and I can’t stop reading the book. Anyway, absolutely fabulous I love it, it’s got my attention. I don’t want to put it down ... it’s your fault. Congratulations, I can’t wait for the next page.” — Dee Miller, Executive Director, Renewed Strength, age 41
RAW AND GUTSY — Raw human emotion where desire collides with fear, fantasy interrupts, challenges abound and hope is restored. For the avid imagination and gutsy risk-taker. A ride for explorers of life’s mysteries untold. — Linda Plater, Writer and Media Consultant, age 42
VISIONARY — Moondance is visionary. This book follows its own path, as if paving the way to a new paradigm. It captures the vulnerability of the strong, contemporary, single woman in a way that is deep, honest and truly inspired with new thoughts about the human spirit. I relate to Althea on many levels. Moondance engrossed me completely. When I finished the last page, I had to tear myself away. The characters felt like new friends. — Sandra Bekhor MBA, B.Sc., President, Bekhor Management, age 39
MULTI-LAYERED — Moondance is a sensuous and thrilling exploration of the human heart. Deeply character driven and compassionate, it explores what it is to be on this earth and live life in an ever changing, complex and dynamic spiritual and natural world. Honest and realistic in its exploration of modern women and our layered relationships with our mothers, our friends, our careers, our spirituality and the many men who are involved along the way. In all, an amazing feat and an incredible read! — Ashleigh Hendry, Actor
SENSUOUS — Moondance is beautiful and sensuous and explores many of the same questions I’ve been asking myself lately. Even though some of the conclusions Althea came to were different than I might have made, Moondance even left room for differences. I thoroughly enjoyed Moondance. — Alene Clark M.Ed., retired Child and Family Therapist, age 62
EMOTIONALLY-RICH — In reading Moondance, I felt like I knew the heroine like a friend. I could feel her pain in the first scene, and then she falls in a rabbit hole. What a ride! With twists and turns I never expected. Doing the delicate dance with emotions is never easy, but Moondance makes it rich and entertaining. What a great r
ead, I was on the edge of my seat. Althea and Michael have this air of restrained optimism which make them all the more human. Karen Black is a true storyteller. — Roxanne Embleton, Patient Advisor, The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, age 41
REAL — Karen is an amazing writer — the characters became very real to me, and Moondance describes an amazing tale that incorporates many different ideas into one uniform concept. I’m in total awe of how she did it ... I really, really enjoyed Moondance! — Angela Jennings, Executive Producer, Fusion Television, age 34
ABSORBING — I thoroughly enjoyed reading Moondance. I found the characters absorbing and I especially enjoyed all the information about tarot cards, and what they mean. This book was “spellbinding” and the romance and inter-relationships kept my interest. — Sue Spivak, Traffic Co-ordinator,Global Television, age 55
A DELIGHT — Moondance is engrossing, and an absolute delight to read. From the first few pages, I was swept into the emotional and spiritual journey of Althea Brecht. — Brenda Girdwood, Owner and Operator, Brenda Y. Girdwood’s Personal Concierge Services, age 54
acknowledgements
AS MOONDANCE IS PUBLISHED, I celebrate the twelfth anniversary of its conception. In 1996, I birthed the first one hundred and twenty pages in a curious, painful, unstructured wave. These pages turned out to be the book’s climax.
So first, I’d like to thank friend and fellow writer, Cynthia Barlow of Constellation Learning for creating the Trust Program and for inspiring me to finish what I started. Thanks also to karmic astrologer Linda Brady of Creative Choices for helping me get to the bottom of it all. My deepest appreciation to Dr. Wayne Watson for our long, delightful patio conversations, and for your gentle encouragement, even when I wasn’t ready.
Thanks to my parents Rick and Yvonne Black for their unwavering support of everything I’ve done. You’ve always provided a safe haven in which to fall. Also, I’m grateful to my sister Nora for her natural exuberance and generosity — and for helping me discover the crop-circle image we adapted for the cover. I never would have found it without you and I love it! Thanks to my brother-in-law John for graciously being the Black family’s on-call computer support person and for helping me create my temporary web site.
Thanks to my oldest friends who have lived through the ups and downs of life with me. In particular, thanks to Sandra Bekhor for her enthusiasm and marketing assistance, Roxanne Embleton for believing in me and holding my hand, Linda Plater for always speaking your truth and being part of my revised ending, and to Rani Bhatia for staying so close at such a distance. Also thanks to early reviewers and dear friends Ashleigh Hendry and Brenda Girdwood and to others who read and provided testimonials for Moondance, including Dee Miller, Angela Jennings, Alene Clark and Sue Spivak. Finally, thanks to friend Suzanne Cyr for her strength and for convincing this shy subject to get her photo re-done for the cover (and who made me up to look great).
Viki King of Malibu, California was my first read, and provided me with inspiration and ideas on how to deepen the mystery. Deep appreciation to cover designer Angel Guerra for his talent and patience with an indecisive client, to layout artist Tannice Goddard for the kind words and fine eye and to Robert Buckland, my editor, who helped deepen my understanding of the editing process. Any mistakes you find are mine alone.
I have dedicated Moondance to the memory of astrologer and tarot card reader Yvonne Karkas. Yvonne, thank you for your compassion, wisdom and humor over the years, and for graciously being the inspiration for the character Michelle. I miss you.
Last but not least, thanks to my readers — I hope you are numerous. I enjoy hearing what you think at www.karenmblack.com. By the way, there will definitely be a sequel. Thanks to my publication consultant Arnold Gosewich for his steadfast guidance throughout the publication process — and for suggesting I make this clear.
Life is a ride. Happiness is a choice.
Savor every minute.
KB
January, 2008
chapter 1
THE FULL, VANILLA-WHITE moon was luminous and bright, and from the highest window of her house, seven-year-old Althea Brecht stared into it fully, following its threads of light. The moon winked. Are you ready?
Althea lowered her chin and balled her hands into fists, her heart swelling with anticipation. She squeezed her eyes shut and moved her lips, silently articulating the wish that started with Albert and grew, until her whole body was quivering. When she lost her balance, her hands opened spontaneously like flowers blossoming, as if her budding wish had become too big for her to hold.
A familiar warmth gathered behind her, smelling like cotton candy in the sun. She leaned into it. Her heart raced. Althea found the moon again, and it smiled at her. That’ll be our little secret, Althea. Ours to know.
• • •
WHEN ALTHEA BRECHT TURNED seven, Sophie said Albert was sleeping. When Albert didn’t wake up, Sophie said Albert was dead. As Althea approached her eighth birthday, she knew that Albert wasn’t coming home. And that the moon sometimes lied.
chapter 2
Althea and Tori
ALTHEA RACED AHEAD, USING both hands to turn the heavy brass of the door handle. At the top of the stairs, the door creaked — a low, aching sound — and the two girls surveyed the immaculate room. An expanse of bay windows mirrored their slight forms, as if they were embedded in black ice.
Althea and Tori climbed onto the high, antique bed and sat facing one another. The fatty richness of roast beef hung in the air: the birthday girl’s favorite meal.
“I want to show you who we’ve met,” Althea said. She reached behind her head to tighten her ponytail, which flowed to the center of her back — thick, wavy and strawberry blond. “There’s Stewart from the Crusades, and the two girls who move in loops and love Elvis, they’re so funny, and Thomas who was a sailor, though he might not come if Sophie’s not here. He spells riddles and gets pissed off if you joke too much.”
Tori shifted, a frown on her face. She was a tiny girl, olive skinned, and three years older than Althea: eleven going on thirty-five.
“We should be careful,” Tori said, “My mom says —”
“Sophie says it’s safe to play, as long as you stay in control.”
Althea placed a thin wooden board across their knees, and pulled a pen and red notebook out of her hoodie pocket. Half the pages were loose, and half were tight. She moved Tori’s hand to the surface of a flat, heart-shaped pointer, and placed her own hand opposite, their fingertips lightly touching.
“We want to know who’s out there. Is anyone out there today?”
The pointer sat motionless. After a few seconds, it moved, tentatively at first, then picking up speed.
“Feels like you’re pushing it,” Tori said.
“You feel like I’m pushing it, and I feel like you’re pushing it, but it’s not us. It’s them. Shhhh.” The pointer moved in a circle and came to rest, as if at attention. Althea’s voice rose. “Who are we speaking with?” The pointer moved immediately this time, doing three loops across the board, like three handwritten e’s, touching each letter briefly before moving to the next. The movement was graceful and precise.
“A,” Tori said. “L B —”
“That’s not possible,” Althea said, looking up from her notebook. The pointer circled YES, then curved to the center of the board. Althea flushed, her heart a ticklish ache. A year ago, her step-father Albert went to sleep, and Althea made a wish upon the moon. While others at the funeral looked distraught, Althea could hardly contain her excitement. She was the only one who knew the truth: soon, Albert would come home again. Over the past year, the physical reality of Albert’s absence had punctured her heart.
The pointer moved, and Tori said each letter aloud. “B R E C —” Althea watched the board. She and Sophie played this game for hours. Mostly, the game was for fun, Sophie said, but you had to be careful, because the game sometimes lied.
Like the moon sometim
es lied.
“All right.” Tori sat back. “If you’re really Albert, then tell me something I don’t know.” Three months ago, Althea met Tori, who lived down the street. Tori became Althea’s best friend, the older sister she never had.
“What street did you live on, growing up?” Tori asked.
“But that’s not —”
“Look.”
The pointer moved. Tori spoke the letters, and Althea wrote them down. The pointer stopped. The girls stared at the notebook. Althea shook her head.
“D E C A T U R — right?” The pointer circled YES and moved to the center of the board.
“We don’t know where that is.” Tori said.
“Okay,” Althea interrupted. “If you’re Albert, did you know my father?” The pointer moved in a figure eight, circling between YES and NO, faster, coming to a stop when Althea next spoke.
“So you’re not Albert?” The pointer moved, spelling ALBERT, returning to YES.
“You’re confusing us,” Althea said. “Do you have messages for us today?”
The messages were the best part of the game. Sometimes with Sophie, the board would spell out riddles, the words coming so fast that they could barely keep up. Sometimes the words were gobbledygook, but Sophie didn’t let that happen for long.
The pointer circled YES twice and slid smoothly across the board. Eight letters in total. After the eighth, the pointer spiraled off the board, coming to rest on Althea’s open notebook.
Althea remained silent. Tori’s eyes narrowed.
“Dinner, girls!” Sophie’s voice. Tori got up.
“This is getting too weird — let’s go.”
“In a minute.”
Tori padded down the stairs. A thin, sweet string plucked at Althea’s chest, fanning upwards like baked brown sugar with cinnamon if baked brown sugar with cinnamon was a feeling. It couldn’t be. Could it?