Chapter 1: The Comet

The shoreline was getting crowded as people began taking up spots to get a better view of the comet. This small beach was not something that could compete with larger lakes or the ocean, but it was still a pretty good size. It could easily handle Whitewater’s five thousand residents, plus the others that lived on the outskirts but called it home.

The lake covered enough acreage for many sailboats to enjoy the breeze on a warm summer day. During the hot and humid summer days, hundreds would gather on the beaches scattered around the lake to enjoy its cooling effect. But not tonight. This was still too early in the year. Snow still lay on the ground in places where the sun’s rays could not penetrate. Spring was around the corner, but not quite here. That didn’t stop the residents from flocking to the beach for view of a comet that would not appear again for more than a hundred years.

This was supposed to be the best night to see this comet since the sky had been overcast most of the previous nights it had been visible. Plus, this was the night that it would be closest to Earth. It was a great evening for all to get together and have some fun.

As Brenna walked toward an area that did not seem very crowded, she heard someone call out to her. Looking toward the sound, she spotted Tahnee waving her over to them. Brenna smiled in response and nodded her head. She began stepping around people and mumbling apologies as she pressed between family members.

Tahnee had become a dear friend since she had moved to the small town last summer. Her son, Layford, was in Brenna’s Advanced Placement English class. At the school’s open house, Tahnee and Brenna had struck up a fast friendship. From then on, they began to spend time together, even though the woman was old enough to be Brenna’s mother.

Brenna considered Tahnee to be a very beautiful woman. She had the classic Native American look with the high cheek bones and beautiful, dark eyes. Her long, flowing coal black hair with streaks of white gave her a look of maturity and wisdom that contradicted the youthfulness of her face. No one would ever have guessed that she was in her early fifties with two children.

Brenna loved spending time with the Lightfoot family. Their home on the local reservation was a warm place filled with laughter and fun. Every Friday Brenna found herself there enjoying the pleasure of their company. With that thought, she spied Tahnee’s oldest son smiling as she approached.

Slaton's stunning looks would make any woman do a double take. His handsome, chiseled face, framed with hair that was black as midnight, had dark eyes that were always full of laughter. Brenna was usually the object of his wit, but she was not one to let him enjoy it alone. She threw quite a bit back herself. Many times the family just sat back and watched them go at it over a movie or a game. Each one had their fair share of wins and lauded it over the other one. She just knew that any girl who grabbed him would be lucky. Who wouldn’t love all those muscles wrapped around a good sense of humor? She knew she would, but was realistic enough to know that she never stood a chance.

“Brenna, come on. We saved a spot for you.” Tahnee’s husband Grey pulled her forward to a spot between Tahnee and Slaton on a large blanket on the sand. She settled down and looked up at the sky that wasn't yet dark enough to see any of the constellations.

“This is so cool,” Langford exclaimed as he looked up at the sky impatiently. “This only happens once every hundred years, and I get to see it.” Brenna laughed. He was such a handsome boy and had just been getting settled back in school. He had the good looks of the Lightfoots, as well as their intelligence. His hair, with part of it hanging down in his eyes, was cut in a style popular with teenagers. In his face, Brenna could see his older brother in his looks. With maturity, he would have the same chiseled look.

Everyone smiled at his youthful exuberance. Brenna looked over, caught Slaton’s wink, and grinned back. A part of her could easily fall for him, but she held back. Being his brother’s teacher made things a little more complicated for her, and she was already seeing a local policeman. Their relationship wasn't serious, but he was fun to be with and was always there when she needed him.

Tahnee pulled out some sandwiches and thermoses of hot chocolate and passed them around. Brenna unwrapped a sandwich and bit into her chicken salad when she felt a blanket fall around her shoulders. She looked up in surprise to Slaton smiling at her. “Don’t want you to get cold. There is still half an hour to go before we can really see the comet.”

“Thank you.” She pulled the blanket tight around her and continued eating. Slaton settled back down beside and began eating his own sandwich. She had to admit that the warmth felt good. It almost felt like his arms. What was she thinking? She couldn’t understand what had gotten into her.

“What’s Eaton up to?” Tahnee asked. Eaton Somerfield was the policeman Brenna had been seeing off and on for several months. Slaton paused in eating and listened to her response. Brenna didn’t notice how he was looking straight ahead at nothing. Whatever he saw drew all of his attention.

“He’s working. I caught a glimpse of him down by the pier monitoring traffic.”

A part of him was pleased with her response because it didn’t seem too personal. Despite dating Eaton, Brenna never really seemed too into him. Slaton continued eating, pleased with his assessment of the situation. Maybe the way was more open for him than he realized. Now he just had to get her attention the right way.

Talk was light and laughter abundant as the group waited for the comet to appear in its full splendor. Everyone grew quiet as the park officials turned off the lights in the parking lot and the neighboring buildings. It took a few minutes for everyone's eyes to adjust to the total darkness and begin to make out the stars above. Gasps could be heard all along the beach. Brenna’s breath was taken away by the sight before her. The comet, streaking across the sky with its bright tail in full blaze, seemed so unreal. As she watched in amazement, she subconsciously began scratching her chest.

Tahnee looked over as Brenna continued rubbing the spot above her heart. “Are you okay?”

Brenna looked over. “Yeah. Just an itch.” She shrugged it off and continued looking up at the sky. Slaton bumped her with his shoulder.

“It’s amazing, eh?”

She nodded without taking her eyes off the astronomical gift. “Yes, it is.”

They watched the sky for the next hour. Stories of other comets circulated around the beach. This particular comet hadn’t been seen in over a hundred years and there were many stories about it passed down through the generations. Children ran around trying to catch this elusive night vision.

As the night wore on, people began to filter away. The cold was getting stronger. Tahnee began to pack things up. Slaton caught Brenna before she moved. “Want to stay a little longer? It’s supposed to be even brighter within the next hour or so.”

“I’d love to but...”

“I’ll make sure you get home safely.”

The temptation was too great. Even though she knew it was not the smartest thing to do, she nodded. “Okay.”

Tahnee nodded as she heard the plan. “We’ll see you at home, Slaton. We’ll see you tomorrow night, Brenna?”

“Sure. I’m still planning on coming.”

“Great. We’re having steak. Slaton and Grey are determined to grill for you.”

Everyone packed up and headed to their cars. Only a few people dared to brave the chill and stayed to continue watching the night sky.

One set of eyes stayed in the shadows and watched Brenna from a distance.