Sister Moon

The night wrapped around him like a cloak. A cloak he gladly wore. A nearly full moon lit the night as he walked the streets. His walk confident and sure, he walked alone. As he walked, he talked; speaking aloud to the empty air. He spoke to his sister. He spoke to the moon. The moon was his guide and confidant. It was to moon that he looked when all else appeared confused and out of focus. He talked to the moon as he had talked to his sister. Sister Moon, was his guide.

Tonight he spoke of a woman. Had he seen her in a dream, or had she been real? Either way she was beautiful. Tall and slender with long golden blond hair cascading down to her shoulders. Her eyes were brown and lit up her face and the room when she smiled. He had seen her in a window. Now he remembered. He always remembered things better when he talked with his sister. He had seen her eating lunch at a restaurant near where he worked. He watched her eat her lunch there everyday for almost two weeks now.

Jimmy sat down on a bench in the park, having walked further than he had intended. He had been so wrapped up talking to the moon that he hadn't paid attention to where he was going. Now he needed to rest before walking back to his apartment.

The rays of the morning sun lit Jimmy's sleeping form. He awoke slowly. He opened one eye.

"Hey buddy spare some change?"

Jimmy reached into his pocket, pulled out a dollar and gave it to the man.

I wonder why there's a man in my bedroom begging for change.

He sat up. He looked around and saw that he had fallen asleep on a bench outside. He got up and walked to his apartment. I wish I could talk to Moon about this. She was always able to make sense of the strange things that happened to me.

Jimmy cleaned up and got ready for work. He worked in the Accounts Payable department of a large accounting firm. It wasn't glamorous but it did pay the bills. Jimmy worked until it was time for lunch. Today he was going to ask the woman of his dreams on their first date. Moon, had told him it was a good idea. She also said that if he followed her advice that the woman of his dreams was sure to say yes.

He sat down at a table and waited. After a few minutes she walked in the door. He watched her as she came in. She was wearing a gray pinstripe dress suit with a pair of black heels. Her hair was cut short in a modern style that showed off her face. She walked gracefully to her table and sat down. She ordered and took out a paper and started to read.

Now was his chance. His first thought was to ask her when she first walked in the door, but his sister told him that it would seem too forward. Then he was going to wait until she was eating, that way she couldn't say no right away because her mouth would be full. But again Moon had told him the error of his thinking. Now was the perfect time. He walked over to where she sat and started to say hello. Then she looked up at him. The light of the moon shone in her eyes. Stammering, he managed to say hello. She smiled up at him from her paper and invited him to sit down.

He sat and they started talking. He found that she was easy to talk to, all he had to do was look into her eyes and the right words automatically came to him. When she left he had a date for that Friday night.

Friday night came quickly for Jimmy. He arrived at Marilyn's townhouse at 8 o'clock sharp. She looked beautiful in a red dress that ended about mid-thigh with thick shoulder straps. It was cut in such a way that it accentuated her body without being too low or suggestive, innocent but sexy. They went to dinner and everything was wonderful. After dinner they went to the theater where they saw a marvelous play. The whole evening was splendid. It went a evening beyond Jimmy's greatest expectation. As he walked Marilyn to her door she invited him in.

Looking up into the night sky he had to decline. He asked her if they could see each other again tomorrow night, there was someone he wanted her to meet. She said she would be glad to. Smiling she gave him a warm kiss and said goodnight. Jimmy walked back to his car whistling tunelessly. Tomorrow would be a special night.

The next day dragged for Jimmy as he waited for his date with Marilyn. The sun sank beneath the horizon into dusk as Jimmy drove to Marilyn's. He had everything planned, from dinner to breakfast the next morning, with help from his sister of course.

He arrived at Marilyn's door with a dozen red roses and a big smile. The moon shone brightly in the night sky illuminating everything with it's reflective light.

"The moon shines in your eyes tonight," said Jimmy.

Marilyn blushed. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself".

"Shall we go?" he asked, "I've got a special evening planned for us tonight."

The two left and went to dinner. Jimmy had reserved a booth in a secluded corner at the restaurant where they had met. They ordered and soon were deep in conversation.

"So Jimmy do you have any family here?" asked Marilyn.

A shadow passed briefly over Jim's face. "My parents died when I was younger, 17 actually. Ever since then it's been just me and my younger sister. She's the one that kept me together after .... the accident. You'd really like her, you two share many of the same qualities. Both of you are smart, funny and of course, beautiful."

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents," she said.

"It's okay, you learn to deal with it; however you can."

They ate dinner and the conversation turned to more pleasant topics.

"It's a wonderful night. Would you like to take a ride by the lake? There's a marvelous reflection of the moon in the water," said Jimmy.

"That sounds wonderful," said Marilyn, "It's been ages since I've been to the lake. It should be a really nice view too. The sky's are clear and there's a full moon."

Jimmy smiled widely. "Yes I know."

At the lake they parked the car and stared out over the water.

"Marilyn? Do you remember when you asked earlier about my family?"

She murmured a yes, caught up in the beauty of the lake and the night.

"And I mentioned my sister and how you were like her?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I'd like you to meet her."

"I'd like that too."

"No. I mean right now. I'd like you to meet her now."

"Let's just stay here by the lake," said Marilyn. She moved her hand along Jimmy's leg and leaned forward. "I like it here ... just you and me."

"My sister is here too. Right there," said Jimmy pointing to the lake.

Marilyn drew back. "What are you talking about Jimmy?"

"That's why I brought you here, Marilyn," said Jimmy taking her hand, "I wanted you to meet my sister, the moon. Isn't she reflected beautifully here in the lake?"

"Give me my hand Jimmy. I want to go. Now!"

"But ...."

"Now Jimmy! And don't bother calling me again. This is just too weird. All those times you said you got suggestions from your sister you were talking about the moon?"

"I thought you under ...."

"I understand perfectly. You're freakin' nuts."

Later that evening Jimmy sat alone along the shore of the lake talking to his sister. The moon.

"Why does it always this way? Why do they always become jealous of you, Moon?

He sat and stared out over the lke humming tunelessly ...

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun. My hunger for her explains everything I've done. All good people asleep tonight. I'm all by myself in your silver light. I would gaze at your face the whole night through. I'd go out of my mind, but for you. *

* Lyrics by Sting

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