Chapter 6: Dance Under the Moon
-.-.-.-.-
What is it about the ocean that causes one's head to turn when it comes into view? I mean, no matter if you've seen it once or a thousand times, it always seems to grab your attention. Yet, when you think about it, all it is is a large body of a water, and we come into contact with water every day. But I guess the fact that it is a body of water that stretches farther than the eye can see is captivating— and perhaps that is why we turn.
I guess the thing that had really drawn me to the ocean was the sounds and atmosphere. The gentle music the waves made when rolling back and forth on the bank were like a lullaby, and the soft tickle of the cool waves on my bare feet set me at peace. Once I'd found a comfortable spot in the sand, it seemed as if I could lay there forever and never get bored. I used to imagine myself in rhythm with the never-ceasing waves, my body rising and falling as each wave climbed to its peak and then descended again. I pictured myself drifting out farther than I could ever see on the beach, carried by the waves toward a far off city. Water was my ally, my friend— my escape. It would let me drift off into my own world, some place away from Flower Bud, and away from the life I knew.
But I didn't see it that way anymore. Of course I still loved the ocean, the sand, the air, the waves— but I had become happy where I was. At least, for the most part.
Jack and I often met at the beach before our nightly routine at the bar each day to talk about our pasts. He explained that he was from a small town a few miles away from the ocean, his father was a businessman and his mother deceased. He had no siblings nor pets, so he would usually sit at home by himself most the time, his father always at work. I couldn't help feeling sorry for him, but I secretly wished that was the relationship I could have with my father. I would take silence over constant feuding. I also told him about how my mother used to the best dancer there was for miles and miles, and how the vineyard was the producer of some of the finest wine the world ever knew— Door to Heaven. I explained that the day my grandma died was the day everything began to fall to pieces. My father, who had relied solely upon my grandmother's presence to produce wine found that he could not replicate the taste that had made the vineyard so successful. The wine began to get worse and worse, until our vineyard became practically neglected. My mother lost her passion for dancing, and she began to sulk over the loss of income and my father's newfound drinking problem. As for me, I was only a child then, but I remembered it as if it were yesterday.
Despite the fact that it had been less than a week since I had made up with Jack, I felt like I had known him for years. I felt as if I could connect with him more than anyone else, and I was grateful. I eagerly awaited our conversations on the beach each day and the fun we had at the bar throughout the evening. Jack was already the best friend I had ever had. And perhaps secretly, though I didn't like to admit it to myself, I felt myself edging away from the "just friends" mode. Yet I was cautious; I still didn't want to think of him like that. I was afraid it would ruin our newfound relationship.
And yet, I couldn't help it. Jack was interesting, funny, smart, wise, good-looking... the list could go on. How could I not start to feel that way about him? Sure, I guess you could call it the beginnings of a silly crush. Perhaps that was all it would ever be, and I didn't think it would last long.
That night was my night off at the bar, and I had agreed to meet Jack on the beach at 6:15. It was the night before autumn began, and I knew I would be busy harvesting and stomping grapes for the next thirty days. Who knew when I would have enough free time to go to the beach again? I had arrived a little early so I could sit by myself as I always did and think. But the sun was now starting its decline and I knew Jack would arrive soon. I sighed and rested my chin on my knees, watching the waves. I remembered the promise I had made to myself that night a week ago when I had spoke with Jack. That I would see the world with different eyes, and appreciate the things I had never appreciated before. That I would forget about the bad feelings and the sad times I had felt before— for I could not seek a new world while bound with chains of the past. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. This was the Karen I had wanted to be for so long, and the one I was now becoming. I was happy.
I felt someone sit down next to me. I opened my eyes to find Jack with the same friendly look on his face, the same brightness in his eyes. I never got tired of it.
"Good evening," he said quietly.
"Hi," I replied. I relaxed and took in the atmosphere. It was peaceful, calm... it was perfect for the mood I was in. Jack and I sat in silence for several minutes, watching the sun turn the sky from blue to orange and pink and then to grey. The first stars appeared above our heads. I knew they would fill the sky tonight.
"When I lived in the city, I used to watch the sunset every night," Jack said, finally breaking the silence. I turned to look at him. He was staring down at the water, reminiscing. "It reminds me of my mom, when she was alive. She and I would always watch the sunset, and then we'd lie back on the grass and gaze at the stars together. But I haven't seen a night sky so bright and beautiful since then. After she died the stars were dimmer. Seeing the sky here truly reminds me of those nights. It's like my mom's happy with my decision to come here, like she's smiling down at me from Heaven."
His words brought a tear to my eye. I knew he had really loved his mother, and she was taken from him before her time. Knowing that mine was alive and breathing made me feel guilty, and I knew I should appreciate her so much more. I was silent.
"Anyway," he said after a few moments, a smile returning to his face, "I brought something. I thought you might like it."
He stood up and dug in his rucksack for a minute or two. I tilted my head, giving him a questioning look. Finally he pulled out what seemed to be an old block of rusted metal. Uh, okay... had he brought a hunk of iron?
"Jack, what the h-" I began, but he quieted me.
"Just listen..." he said, and he turned what appeared to be a knob on the back of it. I listened expectantly as a soft tinkling tune began playing from it. It was a music box. Memories came flooding into my mind.
"Hmm, a music box... that's Dance Under the Moon, isn't it? Brings back memories." I closed my eyes. "I remember that from long ago, deep down in my heart." And then, as if I had known them for years, I began singing the words.
"When it seems that the world has turned to grey,
When your hopes for tomorrow have died today,
When the stars in the sky have begun to fade,
Just dance, dance under the moon..."
I was a child, dancing on the dock, twirling and jumping. I heard the music fill me, as if taking me to another world. I could picture it as clear as if I were there all those years ago; a little boy standing along side me, watching.
I stood up on the edge of the dock, letting the music ring through my mind, my spirit. Gracefully, I began twirling, like I did all those years ago. I let the music overtake me, moving my hands and feet in perfect syncopation. My eyes were still closed, but I could see the night sky, the stars shining, and there amongst them the moon, full and bright. I felt my feet lightly touching the ground, and I felt relaxed and peaceful. The feeling stuck even as the music began to fade and I slowed, finishing up my dance. Eventually I heard it stop and I became still, bowing my head. "So long ago..." I whispered, still caught up in my reverie. A little boy standing along side me, watching...
I came back to reality and snapped my eyes open. As my vision came back into focus, I saw Jack, a soft smile on his face, wearing a look of understanding. Could it be...? I thought, breathless. But I came back to my senses. No, of course not... I reminded myself of reality. I only imagined it.
"Sorry," I told him, starting to feel slightly embarrassed now. "I just remember that song, from somewhere..." I explained. He let out a small chuckle.
"So it seems," he said. "You're a wonderful dancer, Karen."
"I've danced for as long as I can remember. My mother began teaching me when I was very young." I began to long for my mother, for the way she had used to be. Dancing had been the only thing we shared.
"It's for you," Jack said, shaking me out of my nostalgia. "I thought you might like to keep it." He held out the old box, offering it to me. I was speechless.
"Wh-what? For me?" I said, taking it gently into my hands. "Wow, Jack. I'll take good care of it." I was shocked, amazed, and happy at the same time. I had received a few gifts before, some of them being from Jack, but never one like this. One that held so much history, so much feeling, so much memory...
"I'm glad you like it," he said. "If there's anything else that'll make you dance like that again, just let me know, and I'll be sure to give it to you." He laughed. I laughed, too. I still felt a little silly, but I was no longer embarrassed.
"Well, good night, Karen," he said, and I was reminded of how long we had been out there. It had seemed to go by so quickly. "I have to go, but I might come to the vineyard tomorrow. Good luck," he said, beginning to head off.
I was painfully reminded of the next day. After tonight, I wanted free time to think, listen to the music box, to dance. I wanted to be with Jack even more.
"Wait, Jack," I called, right before he had stepped off of the dock and onto the sand. He turned and looked at me, smiling a bit, but not in the same friendly way. I walked over to where he was, the music box still in my hands. "Thanks, I mean it... this means so much to me." I told him, genuinely. And then I hugged him for what seemed like ten minutes, feeling the last bit of "just friends" melt away. I was the Karen who now took chances, and this was one I wouldn't just pass on by.
"You're welcome," he whispered into my ear after a minute or so. "Good night." He pulled away, smiling still, and then leaned and kissed me softly on the cheek. Then he walked off of the beach and headed back to his farm. I stood watching, a bit surprised at what had just happened, but not disappointed. Of course, it wasn't a dramatic kiss on the lips, or a whispered, "I love you", or anything of that nature. It was just a sweet, innocent kiss on the cheek.
But for now it was more than enough.
AN: So the song is based off of the one at the beginning of Back to Nature, it's not actually on HM64. (Though I did take the dialogue out of the game again.) Try and hear it in your mind while reading it. :)
