MOON LIGHT

EPISODE 1

Monday evenings in March did not get much nicer than this. An even 10 degrees Celsius (or 50 degrees Fahrenheit), a slight breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. As a result, our sleepy town of Sandvika seemed to be bristling with activity. People were out jogging on the streets, kids were playing with their friends in backyards, and everyone was luxuriating in the warmest temperature the city had offered up all year.

Even better, there was still an hour to go before sunset. Devon pulled several clips from her hair and let the star flame, golden locks fall effortlessly down her back, giving it a flirtatious shake. She opened her black leather jacket and let it dangle in the wind, displaying the white sweater that was only buttoned up halfway and the metallic orange tank-top beneath for all to see. As she walked alongside me on _Leif Larsens Vei_, a street named after a local military hero from World War II, Devon took a deep breath, clearly enjoying the savory aroma wafting from a nearby family cook-out. Devon absolutely loved to go walking. It was her idea that she and I venture out tonight for a stroll following her birthday party earlier (which was a rousing celebration and full of fun). Talking, flirting and even a few intimate exchanges had filled the agenda, and I was no doubt having a blast with one of my beloved wives. As the light changed and it was safe to cross the street, I checked my cell phone and was greeted with the usual string of text messages crowding the screen. I glanced at each of them briefly. Scarlett. Kristanna. Amy. Lindsay. My dad, Nothing overly important. Not even the very lame attempt at a one-line joke from Lindsay. Devon, holding hands with me, turned all vibrant and waved toward an elderly gentleman, who offered her a double-take and came right over. "Miss Devon, my favorite ice cream girl. Well, look at you. A knockout if I ever saw one!" The senior citizen reached his hand out and Devon took it in greeting. "I haven't seen you in a long time. Is everything okay?" Devon smiled at him. It was the same dazzling smile she always gave people. "Everything is fine, Mr. Schleswig. I've been really busy the last couple of weeks, but I'm back to working in the ice cream parlor at the farm. Why not come by and see me some afternoon? We have plenty of your favorite flavors - apple cobbler crunch - in stock!" "I'll have to do that," the man nodded. Was this dude a customer that Devon knew from working back home at the farm? "And how is Kristina? Last time I saw her, she was pregnant." "Oh, Kristina is fine," Devon beamed at him, bending the truth a bit. "She gave birth to a little baby girl two weeks ago and could not be happier. The baby is doing great." Yes, Devon was not being completely honest. But there was no need to burden an acquaintance with depressing details, right? "This is my husband," Devon said, introducing me to the man. "Jeremy. Jeremy, this is Mr. Schleswig. He has actually been a customer to the [Kristina’s maiden name] family farm since it first opened in 1979." "It's a pleasure to meet you," I smiled at him. Indeed, it was nice to come across a very loyal patron of the farm. "Likewise,  son." "Mr. Schleswig, Jeremy is actually the one who runs the day-to-day operations of the farm now. He took it over from Krisoff and Randi about a year and a half ago." "Best organic fruit farm in all of Norway!" he exclaimed."Been buying all my produce there since it opened." "It was nice seeing you again, Mr. Schleswig," Devon squeaked. "Tell your wife and great-granddaughter I said hello. Please, come by the parlor and see me sometime." I shook my head as Devon and I continued on our way.

to be continued.......