Moonlight Dancer by Mona Ingram Page A

don’t usually go into detail. For some reason this woman’s question caught me at the right time, or maybe it was the wrong time. Anyway, I started telling her about how I can sense things, and the place went silent. You would have thought I’d dropped the F-bomb or something.  Carson came over and hustled me away.” She let out a strangled laugh. “He was livid; couldn’t understand why I would jeopardize his future with the firm. He went on about how he was in line to make partner and how he couldn’t afford to have me talking nonsense. You know what he said that hurt me the most?”
    Jason shook his head.
    “I can still see his face, hear his voice. He said ‘You write about this stuff as if you believe it.’” She could feel the anger building. “Of course I believe it, that’s the whole point.”
    “He sounds like an arrogant ass.”
    “I think maybe you’re right. At the time I didn’t argue, because I didn’t think it was an insurmountable problem. But after that things between us just got worse until we were barely speaking. A few weeks before I came here we decided to stop seeing each other.
    Jason scowled. “Is it a permanent split?”
    Charlie’s thoughts drifted back to that day. “Definitely. Before I left I heard he was already seeing someone else.”
    “Humph.”
    Charlie was determined to tell him everything. “Anyway, that was it for a while, or maybe I avoided old buildings, I don’t know. I didn’t sense anything or hear any voices until I got here.”
    “Here?” Jason’s body tensed. “What happened here?”
    “It’s the farmhouse,” she said. “There are so many memories in there, good and bad. It’s full of old stuff; the attic is crammed with memories, and there are old portraits in the halls. That’s what happened to me tonight, at the dance hall. For a moment it was as though I became someone else.” She closed her eyes. “She was dancing, and she was so much in love.”
    She opened her eyes to see Jason watching her with a faint smile on his lips. “Well what do you think? Am I certifiable?” She looked at him expectantly.
    It was his turn to look out over the lake and gather his thoughts. After a moment he picked up one of her hands and held it between both of his. “I’m not sure I understand.”
    Charlie shrugged. “How could you when I don’t understand it myself? You know, I’ve never been able to talk to anyone about this, not even my best friend.” She paused. “Well, I tried with her but she didn’t get it.”
    He held her hand as though she might disappear. “I don’t think you’re crazy, Charlie. But I’m Mr. Practical, remember? The guy who just realized that he has no secret dreams?” He released her hand and wandered down to the lake. She was right behind him.
    “You’re not boring.” How could she make him understand? “It’s important that you know that.” She remained silent for several moments, standing motionless beside him at the water’s edge.
    Her hair had fallen into her eyes and he brushed it away, his touch achingly gentle. “What made you tell me about this?”
    She hesitated. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because you’re close to Janelle. There’s something connected with the house that I’m supposed to discover. At least that’s the way I feel tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning I’ll be sorry I mentioned it.”
    He picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water. They watched the rings widen and then disappear. “Like I said before, I can’t pretend to understand all this” he said, “but I’ll be happy to listen anytime you want to talk. Right now I should probably take you home.” She nodded her agreement and they wandered toward the street. Behind them, a shooting star blazed across the sky.
    * * *
    The headlights sliced through the darkness as Jason’s truck bounced along the driveway. The trip from town had been mostly silent.
    “Are you okay out here by yourself?” His dimple was a dark slash in