Two Moons by J. Raymond Ractliffe - Part Two- Chapter 9

Two Moons is a new novel by J. Raymond Ractliffe that explores the inner spirit life of Africa, her people and their powerful faith in the world of the Unseen.

The Rising of the Moons

Chapter 9

     Claire dressed quietly this morning. Mavis's hot tea did little to brighten her mood. While the wide feet of Mavis returned quietly down the wooden hallway to the confines of her hallowed kitchen, Claire resigned herself to the fact that the farm was about to return to its former silence. Jeremy had flourished in the company of the young men in the weeks they had been here, his shadows slightly receding as their laughter penetrated the darkness that fed his nights. The circles beneath his eyes had faded, a smile more regularly found as he read his week old paper that would finally find its way to their farm.

"Hi!" came a knock.

"Are you up yet?" Matthews voice came from behind the door.

"One moment Matthew." Claire said, reaching for her blouse.

"Why don't you and Christopher head for the veranda? I am sure your breakfast is already out there getting cold."

"You'll need the breakfast, it's a long haul to the airport." she said.

"Go on. I'll join you in a moment." as the another button was fastened.

Claire paused, now more certain that the choice she had finally made in the night had been the right one. Their life here had come to an end. No point denying the obvious. Jeremy had no desire or passion for the land that had taken his dreams. He would return to his loneliness and wait for death to release him.

Claire had long finished every book in their library and the thought of endless nights alone while her life lay trembling beside her through the night brought a new tear, which she brushed angrily aside.

"No time for tears,” she told herself.

"There is still time for living, and I am not a widow yet."

"And neither is he."

"He just needs a change, somewhere where he can forget what happened." she said finally.

A hair brush rose to comb out her last fears, but with every word that breathed her new course, the strength and dreams held in her eyes returned as images of her walking with Jeremy in the Cape Gardens warmed her heart, a new smile spreading on her face.

She turned to open the door, overeager to announce the news to the morning. The years alone slipping from her shoulders as she approached the morning light and the waiting smiles and laughter that were already drifting in from the veranda.

She was going to dismantle the years of life they had forged out of the African bush. They had brought their dreams to the sun baked land, had watched as the soil was turned to bring them all their first crops, had watched as their son Grant had grown into a man.

They had made love under the stars that shone brighter than she had ever known She had lain sleeping in Jeremy's arms more content than she had ever known.

The red skies of burning cities had caught up to them out here in the outback of this vast continent. Africa had finally come for her pound of flesh and Jeremy had paid the price for their happiness here.

Now she would ask the land, if they could leave and have it's blessing. Misfortune ofttimes followed a dimly lit star, the weak falling by the wayside before they ever reached their new home.

Wide smiles greeted her as Claire stepped out of the house's shadows, the tall blue gums waving their hellos as the morning light bathed her new dreams.

The boys were packed and on their way to England, eager now to begin their next leg of their wild journey.

Jeremy's new hesitant smile as she entered their morning laughter the final signal of approval to her coming dreams.

"Walk with the living, not the living dead." she thought.

Sometimes a retreat in Africa was as good as a win.