One Life Is Not Enough

By Therese Costard

What makes a human being like one thing, one person and dislike others? Could our body cells and our souls come with all this information? Could souls look for each other, over and over, life after life? The story of Luke and Kate can be told only on this life, but if you have an open mind, you can consider the possibility that they are meeting again. Their love is real and strong and will be tested beyond their imagination.

Kate thought she had finally found true love with Luke, but an accident turns her world upside down, and again she needs to conquer what she thought was already hers. Luke was every woman's dream: handsome, rich, and a good person. But when he thinks he has it all, he loses everything. Another life and lesson show them that life is just a journey, and this life is just a stop on the way to a final destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 26, 2001
• ISBN: 9781462084715

Therese Costard

Thérèse Costard is a 38 year old Brazilian. Five years ago, she moved to the US and presently lives in Key Biscayne, Florida, with her husband and three teenage kids. She is the author of Love at Biscayne Bay. She would love to hear your opinion about this book sent to [e-mail].

Book preview

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ABOUT THE AuTHOR

This book is dedicated to my daughter Mariana.

CHAPTER ONE

Winter in New York is a lovely time of year, this one in particular. The city looked beautiful—the decorations, the atmosphere, and the bearable cold combined for a magical season. But even bearable cold can feel like the Tundra if you are trying to warm up in a light, thin jacket. Especially for a young man shuffling back and forth trying to get his job done.

He shook his head, trying to keep his shoulder grazing-blond hair away from his face. At first glance one might have mistaken him to be much older than his actual sixteen years of age. Life had already carved its mark on young Luke’s face. Luke particularly disliked Christmas time. He couldn’t remember the last time he really had a good one. Deep inside he knew that there were some happy memories, but he had too much to worry about right now, not to waste any time with thought. He decided to face his feelings some other Christmas—maybe.

Luke was poor but he really believed that one day he would have a terrific Christmas. If he only trusted his feelings about the future a little more, maybe he wouldn’t have been so resentful about the holidays. In the future, at least in the material aspect, Luke would succeed beyond what he could ever have imagined. But it takes more than money to come to peace with the memories of a painful childhood.

Somebody called his name from inside the store. Mr. Caine’s grocery store was Luke’s life after school, weekends and any free time that he could find. He couldn’t afford to waste time.

In a minute Mr. Caine, Luke replied. His muscles ached. He immediately stopped what he was doing and stood up very tall, thin and muscular. It would be good to be inside the store, instead of in the street unloading the truck.

Luke was a High School student. He lived with his family in Queens. His father Alan was a righteous person but he wasn’t successful in the ever-important task of making money. His mother Julia was a plain simple person who was a happy homemaker and proud of her two beautiful children, Luke and his twin sister, Sarah. Sarah had some learning disabilities, due to the fact that she was deprived of oxygen during birth.

What Luke couldn’t see was that his mother appreciated life in a different way. With time, he would conquer his material dreams and realize what he hadn’t appreciated when he was a young angry man. But now, all he wanted was to finish his job outside, take his break to read today’s paper and check the stock market. Luke believed it was the key to his future.

In another part of town, a young girl was excited about the winter break, no school or homework for two entire weeks. Just hanging out with her friends and having fun. In Manhattan, she could do anything and everything that was cool. She loved the cold weather. In her opinion, winter was the time of year that she could wear the most fashionable clothes. She turned her stereo on to listen to Mozart, her favorite composer. Later she would practice a little on her piano. It was for her a therapy more than anything was, through her music she would find relaxation from her daily life.

Kate Spencer was the All-American girl, like any other fifteen-year- old. Life had hit her hard lately but her positive spirit always helped her overcome her any pain and problems.

Kate’s best friend had an attraction to the supernatural. Looking back, it all had started when they were in their early teens and Morgan asked Kate to call her Morgana when the two of them were alone. She had decided to become a witch. Morgan dragged Kate, who didn’t believe in the whole supernatural thing with her. They were very different physically and emotionally; maybe that was the secret of their friendship. They complemented each other’s lives. Morgan a plump short brunette. Kate was lean, blond and tall.

That day, fifteen years ago, Morgan decided to give Kate an unusual Christmas gift. She believed that it was her duty to give Kate a glimpse of her future. At least a good prediction of it. They would look everywhere, palm readers, tarot cards, spiritually possessed people. Morgan thought about that as she rang the doorbell of the very sophisticated apartment that her best friend lived in. Kate opened the door.

It’s about time Morgan! I am dying to know about my surprise gift. What is it? Is it with you? Kate looked at Morgan empty hands. Morgan stepped inside.

How many times do I have to tell you to call me Morgana when we are alone? She insisted Morgan took off her coat and opened the door of the closet to hang it.

All right monkey face! Let’s go to my room. I was listening to some music and I haven’t finished my homework. We can go out later.

And there I will reveal my secrets to you, Morgan replied in a deep, serious voice. They entered Kate’s girlish pink room and closed the door.

Oh my, is this a witch’s moment? Should I get my camera? Morgan gave Kate a stern look.

You can laugh as much as you want, but you know that in the end I’ll be right! She sat down on Kate’s bed and talked in her normal voice again. We are going to a palm reader this afternoon.

Kate was looking at her face in the mirror. Are you kidding me?

Morgan stood up, Grab your purse. Our appointment is at five o’clock, with a very good palm reader in Queens.

Kate put her wallet in her purse, We need to be back before seven. I can’t miss dinner; I don’t want to be grounded. She opened her closet and chose a black elegant but plain coat to match her leather boots. I’m ready. Let’s go.

In the living room, Morgan put on her purple coat, a color that she thought was more becoming of a witch.

Don’t you think that you are always dressed up ‘New York’ style, Morgan said as they waited for the elevator.

This is New York Morgan! The elevator arrived.

One more reason not to dress like everybody else! Kate sighed. Deep down she knew that her best friend wasn’t criticizing her, but in a society that created molds for different person to fit in, being a full sized teenager probably wasn’t easy for Morgan.

Okay I will try something different next time. Kate couldn’t help herself, she always tried to please her friend.

They left the building and started walking toward the subway station, arm to arm chatting about what they would ask the specialist in palmistry. They arrived in Queens in no time. Morgan knew exactly where the shop was because she had been there many times but never had the courage to have her palm read; not without her best friend beside her.

It’s right over there, right next to the Caine Grocery Store, Morgan stated.

Kate looked at the grocery store while they walked. From a distance, she could see a boy probably the same age as her smoking a cigarette and reading the paper. Kate thought that he was gorgeous, even from a distance. He was blond and very tall. His back was leaning against the wall. He had blue jeans on and a worn out brown jacket. Kate thought he probably wasn’t warm. As they got closer to him he looked up and his gaze met her eyes. Kate felt the butterflies in her stomach. What an incredible shade of blue his eyes were. She couldn’t stop looking at him. For a split second the world around her ceased to exist. She heard

Morgan talking but she couldn’t listen to her, all her attention was on him. He put his cigarette back in his mouth and took a long drag from it.

This is a very nasty thing that you’re doing. Kate said to the stranger in the brown jacket. She couldn’t believe that she had just said that. She couldn’t stand people who smoked because her beloved father had lost an agonizing fight against lung cancer. But she wasn’t the type of person that would talk to a total stranger in the middle of the street.

Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? Do I know you? By now she had already passed by him. Kate immediately stopped and turned around. She had turned as red as a tomato, but something inside her made her act completely different. Her behavior was nothing like the sweet, shy girl that everybody knew her to be.

This is a free country and if I see something that I don’t like I just say it, Kate replied as a matter of fact. Their eyes were locked in an intense stare. Luke took a step toward her. He was inches from Kate’s face. He blew smoke right into her face.

Why don’t you go back where you belong spoiled rich girl and let a hard working person do whatever he wants. He said this in a low volume and tone. Morgan who had never seen Kate acting that way pulled Kate away from the strange boy. What’s wrong with you. Are you insane?

Kate looked to her with tears in her eyes. I don’t know. She whispered to her best friend. Kate looked back at Luke. I am sorry, but last year my father died of lung cancer, and it annoys me when I see young people doing this stupid thing. To her surprise he didn’t seem angry with her anymore.

That’s okay. But next time, think twice before talking like that to a complete stranger. He looked inside the store, where somebody called him and then back at her. A pretty girl like you can’t always get away with everything.

A girl inside the store called him again. Grocery boy, Mr. Caine needs you in the back, she said in a mocking tone. She wasn’t funny at all.

Morgan wanted Kate to hurry up. Come on Kate let’s go. With a smile on her face Kate let Morgan drag her to the small door besides the grocery store. Luke went inside the store. Kate took a deep breath. It was like the world had come in focus again. Luke looked back one more time and saw Kate. He knew her name now. Kate and her friend went inside the palm reader store.

It was funny the way the blond girl had touched Luke. When she almost cried because of her father’s death he wanted to hold her in his arms. Luke was so focused on his goals in life that he never had the patience to deal with girls his age. But, lucky for him, an older woman, in her early twenties didn’t mind giving him the kind of attention he liked. No strings attached. But he knew that this girl would be one to remember.

Sorry Mr. Caine, what do you want me to do? Luke was planning to keep one eye on the door of the palm reader shop and maybe he could see her again.

CHAPTER TWO

Morgan and Kate went inside the store. A scented candle burned and a very nice perfume lingered in the air. It was bright inside the shop. Kate had a misconception of it being dark and dirty. Morgan rang a bell. She is probably inside doing some ‘job’ to help someone. She will be here in a second. Kate looked at the door in the back of the small store. A short nice looking woman, not the image of a witch, opened it. She looked more like a grandmother from a television show.

Hello girls, how are you today? Do you have an appointment? Morgan was checking some bottles of what appeared to be magic potions.

Morgan spoke first Don’t you remember me? I was here before.

The old woman looked at Morgan more closely. You must excuse me, I am just so forgetful these days. She transferred her gaze to Kate.

Hi, my name is Kate and we have an appointment. The old woman smiled at her.

I am going to put the closed sign on the front door and nobody will disturb us. After she did that, she turned to the girls. Let’s go to the back room, follow me please. By the way, my name is Sofia.

In the other room, a table was set with a deck