Laura Novak
  • Welcome
  • About
  • NYTs
  • Scribd
  • Murder
  • Clarity
  • Contact

Feature Friday - Suzanne Rosenwasser - Don't Ya Know

3/11/2011

 
                                                                                CHAPTER TWELVE      by Suzanne Rosenwasser

                                                                                        Calliope’s Spirit

 

Tragedy on a small Island cuts a deep swath.

On Stirling, the losses of years past still hang in the air because the human drama played out on such a narrow stage. Whether death came to a summer kid drag-racing on Old Post Road or a Scaler who tried to save a Centenarian from a burning house, it didn’t matter.  The whole Island grieved.  The land shivered, and time just stopped for a while.

The tragedy that struck the Island in 1970 was so great, however, it drove an Islander away.

            Luma Ortiz-Barnard had been hearing stories about Stirling Island since she met Nate Barnard at Boston College when they were students, but Nate had never brought her to the Island and, to Luma’s knowledge he hadn’t gone back there either.

            In their 20s, working at dull corporate jobs in Boston, something had begun to change between them that went past the platonic achievement they thought they’d accomplished. 

            Luma had always assumed Nate’s blood was far too blue to mingle with her fresh immigrant veins, so she never allowed herself to go beyond friendship.

            In time, each of them noticed disturbing sparks which pulsed upon brushing hands or they found themselves stopped in dopey pauses preceding magnetic pulls that felt a lot like passion. 

            When one of these moments left them both dizzy, Nate suggested Luma come to Stirling Island with him. 

            Luma said: “No!” - and she said it so emphatically that Nate was stunned.

            “It’s the only place we can make sense of what’s going on here, Luma.  I want to live there, and it’s not an easy thing to do.”

            “Why is it about where you want to live? And what’s this living together stuff anyway?  I haven’t even slept with you yet!” Luma bristled.

            “Well, I want you to live with me Luma, so of course, I want you to sleep with me,” Nate said softly.  “But if you’re to marry me, which I also want you to do, I have to know you can live on Stirling Island.”

           

            Two days later  Luma’s knees shook when Nate led her by the hand past the pilings at the East Ferry berth.  It was after dark on an April weekend.  Luma could smell the lilacs and apple blossoms and see glistening white anemones popping out from gardens as her eyes adjusted to the pearly glow of the Island.  

            Haloed light came from beams of the moon bouncing off white and pastel cottages lining Eastern Shore Road.  Nate and Luma strode along, stepping to the rhythm of the bay slapping on Stirling sands.

            “Is it paradise, Nate?” Luma whispered into the windsong.

            “Just at times, Luma,” Nate said.  “But then, at those moments, it’s more than that - it’s magical.”

            

suzannero
3/11/2011 08:49:14 pm

It's been great visiting on your blog this week, Laura. We've come a long way since those five-star scribd ratings we assigned each other. Your support has been a lifeline. It's delightful to know that your just at the other side of my keyboard.

suzannero
3/11/2011 08:50:30 pm

due to the fact of my English teacher backgraound and all, make that "you're just on the other side of my keyboard." :0)


Comments are closed.

    Laura Novak

    Reporter, Author, Blogger, and Mother...

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    My novel is now on Amazon Kindle!!
    Picture


    Blogs I Read

    Getty Iris
    Cloisters Garden
    Daily Dish
    AlterNet
    Immoral Minority
    Hullabaloo
    Phantomimic
    Jotting Down a Life
    Lynnrockets
    Oakland Local
    Passive Voice
    LitBrit
    Onward
    Joe McGinniss
    Barbara Alfaro
    Suzanne Rosenwasser


    Categories

    All
    Brushes With Greatness
    Dance Number
    Education
    Friday Feature
    Girls On The Bus
    Good Men Project
    Just Sayin
    My Favorite Movie
    Neonatologist
    Private Parts
    Quick Take Tuesday
    Sarah Palin
    Scharlott Stuff
    Scribd
    Shrink Wrap Supreme
    Tao Te Wednesday
    True Confessions
    Vox Populi
    Writing/Publishing

    Picture
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

Proudly powered by Weebly