Shadows of the Moon, Chapter 8

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

Chapter Eight: Don Kegarise

Tessa’s anger turned to fear, then pity, as tears rolled down her cheeks. After all she had been through with Alisha, then that affair with Jason. She worried what other people would think of those nude paintings. It was just too much for her to handle mentally and physically!

With a long sigh and a release of all the air in her lungs, she eased back into the warm leather chair. A power seemed to put its arms around her and comfort her. She felt relaxed and cleansed. She knew who she was. Meditation helped for a while, but eventually her life and fears renewed their hold.

Then an unknown voice from somewhere within said, “Take charge of your life, be who you are. You are a good person.”

Her arms fell to her sides; she felt the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders relax. She spoke aloud. “This is the answer. From now on I am going to take charge of my life. No pleasing people. They can take me for who I am or not at all.”

She called Jason again. He didn’t answer. She left a message.

Tessa stepped out into the sunshine. Jupiter was fading as well as her own personal storm.

“I will stand up, speak the truth and be willing to take the responsibility, good or bad.” She felt as if a large weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

She was brought back to the present by the ring of her cellphone. It was Jason.

Shadows of the Moon

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

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