The Creation of Stars

By Rhonda Burnaugh

Abandoned, abused, absolution . . .

There is the family you are born into and the family you create. Unfortunately not every child is blessed with a family to love and guide them into adulthood. Instead, some are lucky to have ever made it out of childhood alive.

The Creation of Stars is the prequel to the Falling Star trilogy, Catch a Falling Star, Blood Moon on the Rise and Solstice of the Heart. This is the childhood saga of survival of the main characters: Michael, Seraphine, Joe, Anni and DJ.

Born into a Native American culture, Seraphine struggles to find her own identity in a world where she feels socially isolated. Her father’s alcoholism and constantly moving to find work does nothing to help her situation. Even her sisters seem alienated and distant.

In another part of California, Anni is being raised by a single mother who is barely making ends meet and longs to find a partner. One day Anni’s world is turned upside down by a tragedy that forever changes the course of her life.

On the other side of the country, Joe is a child with loving Catholic parents. The problem is his mother, who has already carved out his future and her only son wants no part of her plans.

Unfortunately for Michael, sometimes the family you are born into is more like living in a mental institution. Fortunately he has an older sister Gina who loves him, even though she is incapable of giving the little boy what he needs.

DJ seems to be born under all the right stars. Texas born, his parents are not only loving but are wealthy beyond imagination. How does someone with everything given to him almost lose it all?

Just as the stars align in the night sky, the course of their lives cross paths. Each person illuminates that path . . . As the North star guides each of them home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jan 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781490793245

Rhonda Burnaugh

Rhonda Burnaugh is a behavioral health professional and utilizes her background in psychology to create stories and characters. Her first novel, Catch a Falling Star, was published in 2014, and Blood Moon on the Rise is a sequel to that novel.

Book preview

Copyright 2019 Rhonda Burnaugh.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9323-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-9324-5 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Trafford rev. 01/21/2019

22970.png www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

CONTENTS

Prologue

1    Michael Dolanski

2    Anni Cavatini

3    Joe Di Blasio

4    Daniel Dj Jansen

5    Seraphine Rosewood

6    Michael And Gina

7    Looking For Stars

8    Stepping Stones On The Path

9    St. Misadventure

10   The Ice Princess

11   Toy Soldiers

12   The End Is The Beginning

13   The Beginning Of The End

14   Blue-Eyed Gift From Heaven

15   Small Sacrifices

16   Something Special

17   Merci Beaucoup

18   Behind Every Cloud

19   The Shape Of Things To Come

20   Innocence Lost

21   Under The Same Moon And Stars

22   The Edge Of Forever

23   Calling All Angels

24   Sent From Heaven

25   The Long Arm Of God

26   The Color Of A Broken Heart

27   The Sound Of Healing Souls

28   The Empty Jar Called My Soul

29   Shared Secrets In E-Flat

30   There For You

31   While God Sleeps

32   Holding Your Heart In My Dreams

33   Songbird In Training

34   Leaving The Nest

35   Quiet Noise, Dark Light

36   The Awakening Of God

37   Crossing The Stone Path Alone

38   Falling Up The Mountain; Coming Down Gently

39   Release And Redemption

40   Endless Blue Skies

41   The North Star Guides You Home

42   Hold My Hand Until I Can Fly

43   The Joyful Sound Of Crumbling Walls

44   Mele Kalilimaka

45   Staring Up The Starlit Path

46   The Long Arm Of God Part Ii

47   The Delectable Taste Of Ginger

48   Requiem

49   To The Stars And Back

50   Starless Nights

51   Glorious Gloria

52   Hint Of Spice

53   Holding Hands With A Ghost

54   Follow The Starlit Path

55   Monkey On My Back

56   Angels Crashing To Earth

57   The Beginning Of The End, Part Ii

Dedicated to my friends and fans who kept asking me to write more stories about Michael, Sera, Joe, Anni and DJ- this is for you …

PROLOGUE

A ccording to Native American legend , when the world was created, there was only enough light for part of the day. At the dawn of each day, the sun would rise in the east, bringing warmth and blue light to the face of earth. But as the sun set in the west, dusk crept in and the soft grey light of evening turned pitch black, as night engulfed the land.

Fearful of losing their way in the night, their people approached Great Spirit for guidance. He heard their cries and instructed them to go to the river and collect all the polished stones they could find and bring them to him. Once they accomplished this, they brought the stones back to Great Spirit, laying them at the foot of a mountain. Great Spirit picked up the largest and shiniest stone and hurling it into the night sky, proclaimed it to be the North Star, telling them The North Star will never move. If you are lost in the night, seek the North Star and you will always be able to find your way home. He then instructed them to toss the rest of the stones into the night sky to illuminate a path so the star children could find their way to earth, thus becoming earth angels. When their mission on earth was completed, they could once again use the starlit path to return to the live amongst the stars with the Great Spirit in the heavens.

That is how stars were born.

1

MICHAEL DOLANSKI

A t 3 years old , Michael started piano lessons under the tender guidance of his older sister Gina. Spreading his fingers across the keys, she explained: This is middle C. Okay. Let’s stick a gold star there.

Why? Michael tried to comply, but was more interested in attempting to peel off the star.

So you can always see it and know to put your thumbs there.

Frowning, he placed one thumb on the key with a gold star.

Now, let’s play a game. Smiling, she pulled out a piece of paper. On the paper she drew 5 lines. In each space she placed a different colored M & M. Next, she laid out four alphabet letters from Scrabble. I want you to put the letter F in the space with the red candy.

Michael looked up at her. Can I move my thumb?

Gina giggled. You have to if we’re going to play the matching game. Now, place the A in the blank with the green one and the letter C on the black M & M.

This game isn’t fun. He pulled back his hand.

It will be- we’re not playing yet. Put the letter E in the space with orange candy.

Sighing, Michael complied. Now can we eat them?

Gina sighed. You’re right. This isn’t much fun. Let’s do this instead. Labeling each key on the piano with a letter and a matching M & M, she tried again. The letters in the spaces spell FACE. Do you see that? She touched his face, then took his hand and put it back on the keyboard. It’s like when we learned the alphabet song and numbers. Only this time I’m going to point to a space and you’re going to find it here and play the note. Got it?

I guess so. Squirming on the bench, he stole a piece of candy, quickly popping it into his mouth.

Okay, Michael. Find the A on the keyboard. But keep your thumb on the middle C. Use your third finger … like this. She helped him stretch his small hand to the key. Now let’s do the same thing with each letter. In a minute, we’re going to play a song together. That will be fun!

After practicing the matching game a few times, she realized he was losing attention and getting bored. Let’s start with something simple. How about ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’? She played it first, then took his hands in hers and helped him play the song. As they played the piano, they sang the words. She saw he was smiling. Did you like that one, Michael?

Play it again. He spoke softly, placing his hands in his lap.

She nodded. Okay. This time he quietly watched her as she played the song on the piano. Do you want to try it? When he nodded, she slid over so he was seated in the center of the bench. Let me help you place your fingers on the keys.

Okay. He tried to mimic her pose.

It’s fine if you forget the keys. It takes patience and practice to learn, but we’ll do it together, Gina hugged him. It took me awhile, but once you learn you can play any song you want. You do want to learn, right?

Uh-huh, but you promised me a guitar. His dark eyes fastened on her.

Learn to play piano and guitar will be next. I promise. She would have promised him anything. As far as she was concerned he was the most exquisite child on earth, with those expressive brown eyes and a shock of black hair framing his angelic face. When he laughed, his entire being was into the moment. It always made her laugh, too. She couldn’t be in a bad mood with him. Likewise, when she needed to discipline him, it was hard to stay angry at him. Michael would look so crestfallen and put his little arms around her neck and whisper, Sorry sissy, don’t be mad. The worst punishment she could ever give him was a timeout. Even then, he would sit patiently on the wooden chair in the corner of the living room, his eyes watching her every move, until she relented. Then they would kiss and it would be over.

Smiling back at her, it was as if he had silently read her mind. Love you too, Gina. I will play for you now.

She couldn’t stop herself from chuckling. I’m ready, Michael. Play ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ for me.

Positioning his fingers over the ivories, he began playing, slowly but evenly. Deep in thought, he pressed on each key, never missing a note. Okay, Gina?

Laughing she asked, How did you do that?

I just listened to you and played it back.

I don’t know how you did that, but it was perfect, she said.

Michael shrugged. Can we eat the M & M’s now?

You’re amazing, she gave him a hug.

I just played what I heard. Do you want more?

Gina shook her head. No, play whatever you want. I think we will be shopping for that guitar soon.

***

Later that week, their mother Claire returned home from her latest hospitalization in a psychiatric facility. Controlled on psychotropic medication, she seemed ready to resume her role in the family. A few months later, she had stopped taking her medication, complaining she was unable to sleep because of horrific nightmares and restless legs. The first sign of trouble was when she began pacing all night around the house. She was about to blow when she started reading the Bible constantly and playing hymns on the piano day and night. She often sang loudly, talking to people who weren’t there.

Gina did her best to keep Michael away from her. In the evening, she tucked him into bed before leaving to go to her job as a waitress. She stayed until he fell asleep, and prayed he didn’t wake up until she returned home, usually around 1:00 AM. There was a small bathroom off his bedroom and if he needed to get up, he could go in there without having to go down the hall. In some ways, she wished he still slept in a crib and used diapers, but Michael did everything early- walking, talking and potty training. Michael had always seemed older than his true age.

The first thing Gina always did when she arrived home from work was check on Michael. Usually she was relieved to find him safely tucked under blankets and fell into her bed down the hall. In the morning, she would get up when he woke and fix breakfast. After his bath time, she packed a bag and dropped Michael off at a daycare program while she studied for her high school diploma.

One morning Gina overslept and was running late for class, so she decided to skip Michael’s bath and drop him off at school, still in his pajamas. Michael was quieter than usual and refused breakfast. Do you want to stay home today? She felt his forehead. Are you sick?

Michael shook his head. I’m bad.

Bad? Why did you say that, honey? Gina frowned. Are you sure you’re okay? Michael? She peered into his face, trying to read his expression.

Instead, he ran from her, slamming the door to his room.

Immediately she followed him. I’m going to be late for school, Michael. . . Please. . . Upon entering his room, she didn’t see him anywhere. Sighing, she went to the bathroom. He was sitting on the floor. She sat down next to him. What’s wrong? Don’t you want to go to school? You like school. Suddenly it occurred to her. Let’s get you bathed and dressed. I’m sorry. It doesn’t matter if I’m late. You can’t go to school in your jams. Pulling him closer, she was taken back when he flinched and backed away. What is it, Michael? Tell me.

Last night I made Mama mad. Michael stared at the floor.

What happened?

In a soft voice, he murmured, I wet the bed.

Oh Michael, honey- you never have accidents. Did you have a bad dream?

He shook his head. She kept coming into my room and looking at me. I was scared to get out of bed. Rubbing tiny fists into his eyes, he whispered, She made me wear a diaper. Only babies where diapers- I’m not a baby.

Gina now understood. You thought I was going to take you to school like that, didn’t you?

Michael nodded. Don’t go, sissy. Stay with me.

I have to go to school. Let’s get you bathed and dressed. I’ll have a talk with …

Michael stared past her, his eyes suddenly wide. Gina turned to see Claire looming in the doorway behind them.

Claire spoke. Gina, you need to go to school. Michael can stay home with me today.

You scared Michael last night. Gina wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

He was having a nightmare and wet the bed. I simply changed his sheets and put him in a diaper so we wouldn’t have any more accidents for the night. She smiled. Right, Michael?

He’s been potty trained for months and never had an accident before now.

Obviously that isn’t true, she laughed. The bed was soaked.

Gina had never seen an expression like the one Michael’s face. His eyes were silently begging her. I can stay home today, Mom. There’s nothing important today at school that I can’t miss.

Stepping into the room, Claire scooped Michael into her arms. Come to mama, Michael. She turned back to Gina. I said you’re going to school. As it is, you’re already late. I’ll give Michael a bath, get his breakfast and take him to school. As his mother, I’m perfectly capable.

Gina stood. I know you’re tired, Mom. You haven’t been sleeping. When you stop taking your medicine …

I have been taking my medicine, she snapped. I’m fine. Besides, you missed class twice last week. Remember what I told you would happen if you drop out again. I mean it this time, Gina. You can find another place to live and Michael stays with me.

Tears filled her eyes as Michael put his arms out for her. I love you, baby. I’ll be back before you know I’m gone. Shoving her out the door, Claire locked it behind her. She could hear Michael crying for her. Gina beat her fists on the door, sobbing. Unlock this door! He wants me. You’re scaring him. Her mother was scaring her. She knew what her mother was capable of doing to someone.

After ten minutes Michael was quiet. Gina fantasized he had calmed down. She could hear water running for his bath. Finally, she gave up, knowing her mother wouldn’t come out until she thought she had left. Her plan was to come back early to check on him. It would be impossible to focus on anything today. She prayed her mother wasn’t mean to him.

***

Claire had pressed her hand across Michael’s mouth and nose, stifling his sobs. When she was certain Gina had left, she stood Michael up and began undressing him for his bath. His face was flushed from trying to catch his breath.

Stop it, Michael. I hate that snotty sound. Gina’s not here so you don’t have to act pathetic anymore. Besides, none of this would have happened if you hadn’t been a bad boy last night. She removed the diaper. You know why you’re wearing this, don’t you?

Michael looked away. Uh-huh.

Tell me why, Michael?

I wet the bed. His lower lip quivered. Sorry, mama.

Give me a kiss on the cheek, Michael. She pulled him onto her lap.

Whimpering, he shrunk into a corner. When he realized he couldn’t escape, he finally brushed his lips against her dry cheek.

That’s a good boy, Michael. Plucking him off the floor, she stood him in the bathtub. Stand there while I wash you.

Michael didn’t move until she poured a large glass of water over his head and he started choking. Next, she managed to get shampoo in his eyes. Rubbing his stinging eyes, he started to cry again.

Roughly grabbing him by the arm, she forced him to sit down. He slipped and fell, his face going under the water. Panic stricken, he came up gasping and choking. You can’t even get a bath without drama. All you do is create more work for me. Yanking him from the tub, she wrapped a towel around him and proceeded to roughly dry him. Unlocking the door, she carried him into his room, plopping him onto his bed. She found some clothes in a drawer and started to dress him. Do you need to wear a diaper or are you going to be a good boy today for mama?

I want to go to school. He hesitated. I don’t like you.

I don’t like you either. But that’s not what I asked you. She pulled a shirt over his head. On second thought, you can spend the day with me. Maybe you’ll learn to like me, Michael.

He cast a guarded glance in her direction. My teacher likes me.

Half-laughing, she added, Your teacher doesn’t have to clean up your messes and deal with your sassy mouth. Now, let’s get some breakfast. Dragging him behind her into the kitchen, she parked him in a chair at the table. Pouring some boxed cereal into a bowl, she poured milk over it.

Michael tried one bite and put down the spoon. Scrunching his face, he pushed away the bowl. I don’t like it. The milk tastes funny.

Of course you don’t, she hissed. I suppose you want me to make pancakes now?

Gina gives me fruit and yogurt. I like that.

Fine. Here’s a banana. Enjoy. She threw it onto the table.

Picking it up, he turned it over in his hands. Can you unwrap it for me? What about the yogurt?

Glaring at him, she was curt. We’re out of yogurt.

You didn’t even look. Carefully laying the banana down, he murmured, I guess I’m not hungry.

Go to your room. Maybe you’ll be hungry enough to eat what I feed you at lunchtime. Pouring some coffee into a giant mug, she pointed down the hall, I don’t want to see you until then.

Sliding out of his chair, he tried one more time. Why can’t I go to school?

Ask me that one more time and I’ll spank you so hard you’ll have a reason to wet yourself. Smiling she added, Actually, you can stay here. We will work on potty training again. I don’t like surprises and by the end of the day, neither will you.

***

Potty training consisted of parking Michael in a chair in the corner of the living room with a glass of water and a small silver bell. Claire instructed him. You can drink all the water you want. Ring the bell when you have to go potty. I’ll take you to the bathroom, but you are not to get out of this chair. If you disobey, I’ll spank you again. Got it?

When he didn’t respond, she roughly slammed him onto a wooden chair in the corner and went back to the kitchen. I can see you, Michael. I have eyes in the back of my head.

As she walked away, he squinted to see where her eyes were hidden. He didn’t see anything but a mess of unruly brown hair. Sizing up the glass of water on the table next to him; he wasn’t thirsty, he was hungry. Taking a sip, he frowned and sat back. This won’t help. The TV was off and there was nothing to do. At least he had his favorite blue blanket. After a few minutes, he started to fidget with a loose piece of yarn. He drank some more water and was right: his tummy was still growling. He wished he had the banana now. It was impossible to get comfortable. Turning around, he perched backwards on the chair so he could see out the window. Wrapping the blanket around him like cloak, he closed his eyes, pretending if he couldn’t see her, then she couldn’t see him.

Turn around, Michael. Her voice floated from somewhere beyond the living room, through the walls, flattening the idea she couldn’t see him. It was enough to convince him she did have hidden eyes, watching his every move. Turning back, he tried to see where she was, but couldn’t see her. He pleaded with her, I’m hungry.

No talking unless I speak to you first. Again, the bodiless voice came from nowhere. Drink your water.

Looking around the room for her, he rang the bell. Then I have to go to the bathroom.

You haven’t been sitting ten minutes and didn’t drink your water. You don’t have to go, Michael. She finally materialized. I’m going to stand here until the entire glass is empty, so start drinking. I know what you’re up to. You’re just trying to get out of the corner.

Well yeah, he thought. He drank the water, so she would disappear again, then began tugging on the yarn of his blanket, a whole row pulled out, leaving a gaping hole. Quizzically, he observed it. Hmmm … Maybe if he pulled out another row, he could have two holes. That way he could look out when he covered his head. Determined, he started on another piece. It easily unraveled. Before long, he had another hole, only it was too far apart to see out with both eyes. He went back to work, a pile of yarn collecting at his feet on the floor.

What are you doing now? Her voice threatened thunder before the storm. Hands on her hips, she loomed in the doorway, glaring at him, clutching a wooden spoon like a lightning rod.

I’ll be a ghost. It was close to perfection. He held it up for inspection. Trick or treat!

Somehow, she was managed to magically fly across an entire room. I’ll give you a treat. Pulling him by his arm, she yanked his blanket away. You’ve ruined it, Michael.

It’s mine! I want it back! He clung to the blanket as she dragged him out of the chair and onto the floor. When she tried to wrench it away from him, he hurled himself into a ball, kicking and crying. That did it.

Scooping him up with the blanket in tow, Claire deposited him on the sofa. He was still thrashing and managed to kick her squarely in the jaw. Michael wasn’t sure what happened next, except he was bent over her lap and she had pulled down his shorts. She was holding him down in a way that he couldn’t move. You can count to ten, right? Her voice