Everlasting Moon

By T.S. Ogle Sheahan and G. W. Sheahan

This novel deals with the everyday heartbreak of terminal illness and opens a door to the reality of spiritual healing.
EVERLASTING MOON is a poetic, magical Indian blanket-ride through the Four Corners of the American Southwest.
Michael Hatfield and Sara Healy take us with them on their anthropological journey as they learn about each other and the lives of the Ancient Cliff Dwellers on the Navajo Reservation.
Michael falls deeply in love with Sara, only to discover she is dying.
Everyone will want to experience the dream time miracles as Sara walks with a Navajo Holy Woman on the edge of the Spirit Path.
EVERLASTING MOON teaches important truths about life, illness, death, love and healing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 7, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465325204

T.S. Ogle Sheahan

THERESA S. OGLE was raised in Durango, Colorado and is a professional performer. Terry has published both poetry and music. Her father was an agricultural expert, a musician and an archeologist. Her mother was instrumental in promoting the first “Clean Air Act” in the United States. Geraldine W. Sheahan grew up in Southwestern Colorado. Her father was a well known radio announcer for K.I.U.P. in Durango. Her mother was a professional actress and a writer. Jeri is a poet and a writer who grew up in the fields of entertainment. Both women have a deep and abiding love for nature and the Native American People.

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Copyright © 2008 by T.S. Ogle and G. W. Sheahan.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

AUTHOR’S NOTE

DEDICATION

To our patient and loving husbands, Jan and Michael, our wonderful children, Ron, Lisa, Kelli, Michael and John, and our beloved parents, who have been our personal Spirit Guides, George, Ethel, Marie and Clayton. And, of course, to Janet Tooley-Coffin, our personal travel agent, and hostess extraordinaire.

IF YOU CAN LOVE ME

AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE THE MOON THAT

ORNAMENTS THIS HORIZON OF ETHER,

I WILL BE YOUR EVERLASTING MOON.

CHAPTER ONE

BURGER KING MOON

The whole thing would never have happened if not for the High Note Bar, on the corner of Sweet and 8th. Sweet Street, she thought, as she stepped out of the cab, could there be a worse place for a blind date? Of course, this gathering wasn’t billed as a blind date, just friends meeting for drinks. Still, Sara knew that most of these occasions included a young man from some realm or other that her dear and trusted friends thought might be her Prince, her Salvation, her Soul Mate. She always went, to please her pals and get a gander at their current choice for her. She could usually find at least one thing about the man that she understood would make them feel he was perfect for her… . Neil’s folks lived in Durango, Adrian wore Birkenstocks.

Sara was a blonde wisp of a girl in her mid thirties. She worked for The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado as a journalist. She had been married a short time after her graduation from Colorado University. He was a photographer and when the going got rough, he got going. Sara lived on happily, as Sara does, with her friends and her job being her sole purpose in life. She was happy living with her pets in her little home and relieved there was only her self alone to deal with some of the big tests life had handed her.

The little bar was cuter than she expected… plush, cozy seating around tables with candlelight. As she entered she heard Jimmy Buffett singing Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit and thought at least the jukebox in this joint was pretty good. She saw her friends, all smiling and waving to her and pointing to the man on the stage, karaoke mike in hand.

Sara stopped mid-stride, fixed on the man at the microphone. He sounded like Jimmy Buffett. So much so that she thought it was a jukebox playing.

He didn’t look like Buffett.

He did look like he could have just stepped off a fishing schooner somewhere in the Florida Keys!

Not really a large man, but muscular, with a healthy light hearted aura that seemed, even from a distance, to be sun hatched and windblown. He was lean and earth colored with tousled, dark curly hair.

He was finishing the song with all the flair of a person familiar with performing. He put the mike back in its stand and stepped off the stage. His eyes were fixed on Sara as he walked toward her with his hand extended. You’re Sara.

Yes, she heard herself say in a very small voice, and instinctively stuck out a small cold hand.

I’m Michael, he said, as her hand disappeared into his large warm one.

His direct gaze had made eye contact from the stage to the hand clasp and at the point of contact, Sara gazed into two deep blue pools that seemed to wash over her soul. The bar and everyone in it disappeared and Sara’s world fell silent for a moment.

Uh oh, thought Sara… . Uh oh. Here’s trouble in a bucket if I’ve ever seen it! Almost as if in a near death experience, she saw her life flash before her eyes. There was her quiet, tidy house on the edge of town… the dog, three cats, one bird, fourteen fish and the chickadees who came around for the suet. Plants all over everywhere, with barely enough room for her coffee cups, let alone a man and his gear.

But at that same moment, her hand in Michael’s was getting warmer and warmer, her legs were feeling a bit unsteady, and her eyes slightly blurry.

When Nick and Dave stood up to make more formal introductions, she was glad to be brought back to the present… . just a little bar, just a blind date.

Molly gave Sara a quick wink and said, We’ve ordered you a Singapore sling… . there are hors d’ oeuvres at the bar.

Sara thought about making a move… . to the left or to the right, just move. She looked once more into Michael’s eyes, and he laughed just a little, squeezed her hand lightly and said, How about a duet?

Ya mean… . she cleared her throat, you mean like… as in SING together?

Michael burst out in a peal of laughter that bounced around the room like the bells of St. Francis!

She felt her face get hot.

Molly, Nick and Dave (and a few other complete strangers who got caught the laughter) were now staring back and forth from Sara to Michael.

What is SO funny? Molly was asking Sara, bouncing her two hands out in front of her as if she was weighing a couple of cantaloupes to see which was heaviest.

No, Sara shook her head back and forth, nothing’s funny… . no… it’s not that funny!

Michael jumped to her rescue. It was just the look on her face. You had to be there.

At this point, there was a crash behind the bar. The too busy bartender dropped something and everyone turned to look.

Michael grabbed the opportunity to look at Sara in a private glance and smile. Sara giggled.

Good Gawd! she whispered to him, I can’t believe that sounded so stupid!

I thought it was a well thought out response. Michael tried to look serious as he watched the bartender, along with everyone else.

They both laughed as Sara looked around the room. Well, she finally said, do they have a book around here somewhere with the titles of songs? I don’t know if I am really ready to sing… . I mean… . why don’t I just sit down and nurse my Singapore sling a little, take my coat off, and just catch my breath?

They all moved toward the table and Sara put her coat on the back of her chair. She sat down and took a long pull of her drink.

Michael came back to the table with a book of songs and was pointing to an oldy.

Mountain Music? Sara asked. Ok.

They walked toward the stage and Michael reached out a hand to help Sara up onto the platform. They each took a mike and turned toward the monitor.

The DJ smiled, started the music, and the two jumped into the song.

Play me some mountain music… . Like grandma and grandpa used to play… .

Sara’s heart was pounding. As her lips mouthed the words and her breath sent her voice out over the small bar, blended with Michael’s harmony, she began to realize a new feeling. It wasn’t like all those other nights.

Stage fright was nothing new to her. She felt it every time she stood up in front of an audience. But this was different. It was as if the muse was there! The pounding in her chest wasn’t from stage fright, but from the excitement that comes when voices blend into one. One more time, everything around her and Michael disappeared, only this time her world was not silent. The two of them were off on a cosmic journey all their own, swirling in a soft pool of consciousness, surrounded by the blendings of music and joy!

The singing, as singing always does, opened up the joy soul in everyone and as the bar was closing at the end of the evening, they sang their finale, Old Time Rock and Roll. The entire crowd at the High Note was on its feet, clapping, dancing, and smiling. Sara and Michael were laughing as they left the stage. Molly assured the audience they’d be appearing again next week.

Outside Nick said, I know its past two in the morning, but it’s too good to stop now! Let’s get breakfast. So off they took… no better place for middle of the night eggs than at the truck stop at the Y.

What a great night, Dave said. You can’t get that kind of harmony just anywhere! Sara and Michael shared a quick glance of agreement.

I’m just walking home from here, Sara said after everyone was through eating. It’s only four blocks and the fresh air will feel so good!

Michael quietly said, Please, can I walk with you?

Sure, she said. They put on their coats, bade everyone goodbye with great hugs, lots of smiles and happy chatter, and stepped out together into the crisp night air.

They walked along silently for a time. They were comfortable with each other, and it was a shared relief to experience the silence of the night. Finally, Michael broke the stillness.

It seems so natural . . . . and after a pause, I mean, it’s like we do this every night or something. Like I have always been here just walking with you like this.

Yeh, said Sara.

They both smiled and walked on.

It was a crisp spring night in May, but not cold like past springs would have been on that date. There had been an open winter that year without a lot of snow and a strange spring quality in the air all winter long.

There is something really special about spring, she broke the silence again, it’s like… things can look so dead in the winter… . who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom? It always makes me think of Thoreau… I never remember his exact words, but something like, The rivlets of melted snow tumble down from the high country, swirling through the grave of summer past and, steeped with winter grass, offer us Meadow Tea!"

Thoreau… . wow! So… . you are a singer, a journalist AND a poet! Michael responded as he looked skyward and nodded.

When you were a kid, did you play out at night? Sara asked.

Yes! Michael turned to Sara. Like kick the can? And run sheep run?

Those were the days, Sara said, and she looked up. I wonder how come kids don’t play out at night any more?

They walked down into the park by the river and sat in the swings for awhile. They threw pennies in the empty winter fountain and made wishes and laughed at themselves.

There was no way to avoid the opportunity and they wound up playing hide and seek in the park for over an hour.

At last, Sara threw herself down on the merry-go-round saying breathlessly, I’ve just got to go home! If I don’t get some sleep, I’ll never get up today and I have so much to do that I can’t believe I’m playing in the park all night with a basic stranger!

Hey! Michael flopped down beside her on the merry-go-round. I’m not a stranger! And anyway, there’s nothing BASIC about ME! Like, I am ONE OF A KIND! He shouted to the tree tops with his hand over his heart as though he had made a vow to be who he was. But, you’re right. Duty calls. Let’s get going. Michael stood up and extended a hand to help Sara pull herself to her feet.

It was almost dawn. The sky was beginning to lighten and as the two stepped out from the tree-lined park, they both gasped! The full moon had not yet set.

There, huge and straight in front of them it hung. It was completely full, and just there giant on the horizon! A huge fuchsia moon, hanging luminous, like a big round Burger King sign, right there in the pink and purple morning haze.

My God! Sara whispered. Look at that! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?

Michael didn’t answer. He just stood for some time staring at the moon, then turned and looked at Sara, who stood still fixed on it.

Maybe, he said quietly, and smiled as he watched her face reflecting the pink and purple haze.

Sara looked at Michael. He smiled. She realized he was talking about her! The very thought of him comparing her beauty to that moon, that night, was overwhelming. She instinctively threw her arms around him and they embraced in a purple, fuchsia, moonlight morning embrace and kissed a sweet kiss, born from the feelings only lovers feel… . and only a few times in one’s life.

They held hands as they walked the rest of the way to Sara’s house.

Sara felt sorry they were there already at her door and relieved when Michael said, Can I use your phone? I have a standing Sunday morning date with my family. I don’t want them to worry when I’m late.

Sure, Sara said, even though it had been some time since anyone new had been in her tiny living room. Michael seemed to loom large and yet blend into her landscape. She couldn’t help overhear him speaking with his brother and could tell they were very close.

When he finished his call, Michael said, I have to head down to the Four Corners area day after tomorrow to do some research for a project I’m working on. Will you go with me?

Sara felt her heart take a little jump, and her mind toss up a large STOP sign. Michael, she said, this has been a fun and fabulous night, but I must tell you, I’m really not looking for anyone or anything right now… . it seems all I can handle to just keep myself together.

Michael looked into Sara’s eyes for a few quiet moments. You know, he said, when I was a kid, my cousins used to take me tromping all over the desert country. One day we were walking through an area of some ruins when my foot just stopped, and I looked down. Right there was a beautifully painted pottery shard, which I’d have crushed underfoot had I taken one more step. It was one of the most amazing things I’d ever seen, and is a large part of why I became an anthropologist. I realized right then that it’s the things you find when you’re not really looking that are the most worthwhile. Come on… . go with me.

Sara smiled. Michael perked up a little and finished with, I’m leaving Tuesday afternoon. Whether or not you go, I’ll be taking you along in spirit. I hope you will be there in the flesh.

They stood on the porch for a moment in the May dawn… Sara grasped Michael’s hand, and hers in his felt like home.

Looks like a Sunday mornin’ comin’ down for me! Michael smiled.

I’ll call you, she said, one way or the other, I promise, I’ll call you. I think I just need some time to think.

And I think you should be thinking yes, said Michael. He hopped off her little porch, turned and said, Bring your dog, if you want… . I’ll see you Tuesday.

Sara was reeling as she stepped back into her little home. She took a shower, made a cup of tea, lay down to sleep, and dreamed.

She was sitting on a sandstone bluff, overlooking a wide juniper and pinion filled canyon. The sky was nearly denim blue, and she held her face toward it, soaking in the scented air and quiet sun. A little bundled woman sat down beside her and they enjoyed the sun and sky together for a while.

Presently the woman said, You haven’t forgotten the magic, have you? Sara was a bit startled by this, as all her thoughts just then had been about magic, indeed.

Well, she said, I try very hard to keep my magic alive, but sometimes it seems so far away.

The little woman gently took Sara’s hands and looked deep into her eyes. Oh no, oh no. Your magic is never any further away than right here, she said, tapping Sara’s chest, and right now.

Sara woke with a start. She took a deep breath, and then another, and picked up her phone.

Molly? Can you water my plants and take care of my cats and fish and bird for a little while? I think I’m going on a road trip… . Yea… . I’m going with Michael on Tuesday… .

CHAPTER TWO

ON THE ROAD TO THE FOUR CORNERS

As she watched Michael pull up in front of her house, Sara took one more look at her checklist. It seemed everything was in order… . her bags were by the door and arrangements had been made with Molly, Dave and Nick to watch over her little house. Her editor at the paper had approved the hiatus, with the promise of an article on The Heart of the Art of the ancient People of the Southwest. Buck sat looking placidly at her. She stroked his head and asked him once more, What do you think, Pal? Is this alright? As he had answered before when asked this question, he thumped his tail twice and softly dropped his paw on Sara’s shoe. Ok, she said, here we go.

Your chariot awaits, Michael said gallantly. He stowed her gear in the back of his Cherokee. The Airstream was my Dad’s, he said… . it’s the best thing I own. A whole lot of my life has been spent sleeping around in this thing! Sara laughed, Buck chuffed, and they were on their way.

Traditional trip beginning music, Michael said, as he clicked on the stereo. Willy Nelson’s On the Road Again filled the Cherokee. Sara laughed again. Of course, she thought, of course! They both sang along.

As they headed south, Sara felt her spirit and body begin to lighten. She was going home. No matter how she had tried to adjust to living in other places, nowhere could ever fill her soul as the southwest corner of Colorado did. She felt her legs tingling, just thinking of walking again in her old haunts.

She watched Michael drive. Just leaving like this is a whole lot out of character for me, you know, she