Shadows of the Moon, Chapter 7

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

Chapter Seven: Pam Ege

As close as Tessa and Alisha were over the years, there were times when they were oceans apart. Tessa always cautious, while Alisha sailed on the wind. Still, they were family and that would always be a priority over money, love affairs, even the occasional earthquake.

Until recently, though, they had communicated largely through rumor. A friend told Tessa this; another friend told Alisha that. And boy, what rumors there were!

This time, however, it wasn’t a rumor. This time, Alisha called personally. Every time Tessa thought about that last desperate conversation, her hands shook and her stomach trembled. $150,000.

Tessa had always prided herself that money was so very unimportant. She took pride in that, although she never really had money. An attitude like hers was usually reserved for people who had more money than they needed. She was comfortable now, but she also knew that her comfort pretty much hinged on her sister’s next drama.

And now, she had to fix it. Every time Tessa thought about what she was about to do, she felt ill. There simply was no other way out. It was either crawl back to Jason to get the money to replace what she had borrowed, or tell Will everything.

Giving Jason what he wanted still had the potential to complicate everything. Jason could sell the Tessa Study or put it on exhibit. Her relationship with Will could possibly end. Her career would definitely be over.

Doing nothing – facing Will with the loss of $150,000 – could possibly end the relationship, but her career would be safe. She would survive; she would have her dignity. She could still lose Will.

The hour grew late. She no longer felt ill. She was angry.

Shadows of the Moon

A chapter will be released once a month. The first chapter was released January 5, 2025.

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