Free The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs Page A

didn’t mention the scene on the hill, and
the he-can-read-my-mind-and-I-can-feel-his-emotions phenomenon. Dr.
Gene wasn’t far from here, and I had a feeling we would be paying
him a visit on our way back home if I brought that up. Too much
info was a bad thing, after all. Edna finally admitted that Sally
had asked who the new fellow in town was. I smirked; at least I got
to her first. We sat there catching up until the deep purple of
twilight shadowed the land.
    “This Gavin reminds me of someone I knew when
I was younger than you.” She snickered, surprising me with her
thoughts. “I was about sixteen and was walking through the woods
when the most amazing person I’ve ever met found our ridge. He was
exploring the trails, he said. I’ll never forget his blonde hair
and his deep blue eyes.” A smile lit her face as we walked to the
Jeep.
    “What happened?” It never occurred to me Edna
had thought of anyone other than Arthur.
    “We spent an entire day together hiking and
laughing … and then I never saw him again.” Her gaze was far away
with the memory, her voice wistful. “Those were the most incredible
ten hours of my life. I can’t explain it right, but it was the
perfect day. I was completely alive. He affected me in a way I
still don’t understand. He was so caring … that’s what I remember
most about him. He was handsome to the point of being beautiful,
and he was kind. When Arthur came courting, I was reminded of my
Michael, and that’s why I agreed to date him.” She sighed. “I’ve
always wondered what happened to him.”
    “Did you ever tell Arthur about Michael?”
    “No, what would be the point? I was devoted
to Arthur, and he loved me. I can’t explain it, but Michael’s day,
as I like to think of it, was almost magical. It was like we had
been taken to another place … No,” she corrected herself, “it was
like this world was what it was meant to be. For one day, there was
nothing that stems from evil or darkness. There were only two young
kids exploring God’s creation in all its glory. After that day, I
decided to make the most of this life.” She peered into the
darkness that sped by as we wound around her mountain.
    We pulled in front of the house, and I turned
off the Jeep’s lights. The view from the front porch was amazing.
During the day, as far as the eye could see, were rolling hills of
trees constantly changing with the seasons. The valley lay as a
small ribbon of land in the distance below. At night the Milky Way
seemed so close, it was as if you were part of the galaxy. City
lights were too bright to see many stars, and the first night I
spent here I was scared senseless. Edna held my hand and rocked me
on the glider under the night’s brilliance.
    “Goodnight, Sunny.” Edna patted my shoulder
and headed in the house.
    “Night.” My gaze never left the magnificent
sky, and I took a seat; the glider swayed in the breeze. My mind
wandered back to Gavin. Feeling the cold, crisp air and seeing the
endless stars, I had time to be silent and process the events of
the morning one last time. I must have better control of my
thoughts before I see him again. Remembering the autumn heavens, I
drained my thoughts and concentrated on visualizing a solid sheet
of sky blue. I tried to keep only the color in my mind, but
thoughts kept racing through, and I realized how emotionally
drained I was. I needed to exercise this control like a muscle. If
Gavin weren’t physically attracted to me, the color would serve as
a shield when my thoughts strayed. I hoped it would be easier
tomorrow after I had rested.
    The thought of reaching Gavin swam through
the blue. I was alone, no one was watching, what would be the
problem with trying?
    Leaning on the old porch rail, I opened my
arms wide. Willing my body to relax, I brought forth everything
about him in my mind’s eye—his perfect face, the incredible smell
of him, his unusually smooth palms, and the sound of his voice.