Long Snows Moon by Stacey Darlington

to
decide if Devon was pulling her leg.
    “I'm serious. I will be careful on my journey
of life.”
    “Okay, sorry I freaked out but you scared
me.”
    “I wish I didn’t have to leave,” Devon took
Jameson's hand. “We could be best friends.” Devon surprised herself
by hugging her.
    Jameson returned her embrace. Devon smelled
the wildness of the outdoors in Jameson's hair. She felt the
softness of her cheek against her face. Was it Jameson's heartbeat
or her own that hammered in her chest? Devon trembled when Jameson
slid her hands up her spine and laced her fingers on the back of
her neck. She pulled her close. Their noses touched.
    “Respect this life,” she whispered.
    Their eyes locked. Jameson rummaged her
fingers through Devon's hair.
    It was an exotic move for a young girl and
something Devon had only seen in movies. Devon saw her reflection
in Jameson eyes, longing for the kiss. Devon closed her eyes.
    Jameson whispered, “I taste like this.” Their
lips met.
    “Goddamn it Devon, now!” Claire bellowed.
    Devon growled. She felt like a wolf, ready to
bite.
    “You better go.” Jameson released her.
    Devon dashed from the greenhouse and dove
into the backseat of the car. She pressed her face against the
leather to hide her shame, panting as though she’d sprinted a mile.
They practically kissed!
    “Put on your seatbelt,” Claire snapped, “and
take these wipes. You’re getting the seats dirty. I knew you’d
forget to wash your hands.”
    Claire flung two packs of moistened
towelettes. One hit Devon in the eye.
    “What the f …?”
    “Don’t say it!” Claire warned as she cast
Devon a Medusa stare in the rear-view
    “Wave good-bye to your friend,” Analise
said.
    Jameson sat on the porch next to Ducks. She
put her fingers to her lips and blew Devon a covert kiss as she
fondled the locket.
    “We are all one.” Devon opened the window.
“Ocumwhowurst. That’s easy for us to pronounce.”
    Jameson looked more like a woman and less
like a child.
    “Did you have fun, Honey?” Analise asked.
    “Of course she had fun. She was rooting
around in the dirt like a little savage with a little savage.”
    “She not a savage, you bitch,” Devon snarled.
“Even dogs hate you!”
    “Damn you, Devon, how dare you speak to me
that way. Buckle your fucking seat-belt for god's sake.
    “Language, Claire,” Analise gasped.
    Devon laughed so hard she fell to the
floor.
    “If this is the way this trip is going to be
then I will turn this car around and drive home now,” Claire
fumed.
    “Calm down, Claire,” Analise begged. “Now,
Devon, apologize to Claire immediately.”
    Devon giggled. The way Claire said fuck was
hysterical.
    “You have a fresh mouth, Devon Louise Van
Sykes,” Claire said.
    “So do you, Claire Louise Sommers-Danforth.
Way, much filthier than mine. But, now I have your big shoes to
fucking grow in to.”
    That night dinner had been a disaster, but
Devon could have predicted that.
     

Chapter Eleven
     
    “ Devon, go sit in
the car and wait there,” Claire ordered. “Make sure you lock
yourself in and don’t open the doors for anyone but us.
Go.”
    Devon shoved her untouched plate of spaghetti
and meatballs away and made a grand fuss of leaving the table. She
didn’t even bother looking at her mother for moral support, knowing
all too well she would side with Claire. She stomped away from the
table, but not before casting Claire a murderous look.
    Claire returned the stare with equal
wrath.
    Devon pretended to leave but hid in a nearby
alcove and eavesdropped.
    “Claire, I let her have the wine, it’s my
fault,” Analise apologized.
    “She drank the whole glass.”
    “We should have been paying more
attention.”
    “She’s used to getting away with murder,
Analise. I do question your parenting skills sometimes,” Claire
stated, tossing back her own wine and refilling both of their
glasses.
    “That’s a bit harsh. I love my daughter and I
try to be a good mother.