Shadows of the Moon, Chapter 2

A progressive short story from the Akron Writers’ Group, Wordplay. Written Winter, 2017.

Chapter Two: Elaine Powers

Three thousand miles away, Will boarded a plane. A day early. He hoped to beat the storm and arrive home by noon the next day. Home. Tessa. Only a face-to-face conversation would do, and he couldn’t wait another twenty-four hours.

Will’s mind wandered, but it grasped at straws. He had many questions, but no answers. Why did Tessa withdraw $150,000 from their joint account? She must have had an urgent reason, but she said nothing when they spoke two days ago. Was she in trouble? Should he have asked her to come with him to Reykjavik? Should he have cut his trip short? What had he missed?

Tessa was unable to sleep. Her mind was a jumble. If Will arrived on schedule, everything would unravel. If he was delayed a day, she might have time to return the money. Things would return to normal. Will may never know what she had done.

She finally got out of bed. Maybe a cup of tea would help her sleep. She made the tea and carried the hot mug to her bedroom. Moonbeams danced on the bedroom floor. Her thoughts turned to her sister.

Tessa was eighteen and Alisha fourteen when their parents died. A life insurance policy provided money for their college educations, but Tessa struggled to complete her degree while raising a sister. Life was easier when she graduated and began a career as an accountant. Using the last of the life insurance money, she made sure Alisha graduated and established a career of her own.

Tessa couldn’t contain her pride when Alisha graduated with honors from business school. Her future seemed so bright. Then Alisha met the man of her dreams and married him almost immediately.

Tessa had never trusted Alisha’s husband. He moved to town from another state and shared nothing about his family or his previous life. Tessa worried that he hid something about his past; Alisha insisted he was everything she needed.

And now? Now Alisha was divorced, raising two adorable girls without a father. Now Alisha could turn to no one but Tessa when her job was on the line.

Tessa had done what she could, but now, everything she held dear was in jeopardy.

Tessa took another deep breath. Jupiter could be the solution. One more day and she may never have to tell Will anything.

The tea and the moonbeams worked together. Finally, Tessa fell into a fitful sleep.