Carlton Cove

Chapter 5

5

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween." Author unknown.

I just love that quote. I read so many books when I was growing up that sometimes a passage, a line or a quote just jumps into my head, depending on the season.

This will be our first Halloween in Carlton Cove and I just love how the many businesses up and down Kismet Street were festooned with Halloween décor. The red maples up and down the street were beautiful with their brilliant orange and yellow leaves. Mom and Dad made sure to have plenty of candy on hand for the day. Betty had told Mom that there is a tradition in the business district where many children walk up and down Kismet Street and trick or treat at the many different businesses; and that the children usually start as early as four o'clock.

Since today was my birthday, Mom invited Maddie and Victoria to go with us to dinner tonight. I chose Gianna's as I love their wood fired pizza. The Blakes will meet us at Gianna's at six o'clock.

I had inquired with Mom a little more about her belief in the Moirai. I have never been a big believer in providence or predestined lives, but I was curious. I asked how a person could determine the validity of signs and what affect they may have on someone's life. She said it was simply being aware of your life and your world, along with keeping an open mind. She also said that you need to "listen" to the ethereal whispers. When I asked her for clarification, she said they could be something intangible or immaterial, like a voice in your head or a nonphysical feeling that you have deep inside. I did not tell Mom about that little voice in my head that I seem to have following me around lately.

Mom said that the signs and cues will appear when the Moirai are trying to steer you down a different path in life. It could be a subtle sign or something major. She said to trust your instincts at all times. I am still not sure how much I believe in all of this Moirai stuff, but I decided to do as Mom suggested—keep an open mind.

It was about three in the afternoon and I was sitting in the Hemmingway nook. I was looking at some of my old notes I had found as to why I had selected the name Victoria for one of the characters in my book. My notes read as follows:

MOM HAD A MAGAZINE ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER CALLED BLISS VICTORIA. THE MORE I LOOKED AT THE NAME THE MORE I LIKED IT. GOING TO CHANGE AMELIA TO VICTORIA IN TREEHOUSE BOOK. SHE ALSO UNDERLINED THREE WORDS IN THE SUMMARY. NEED TO ASK HER WHY. BELOW IS THE MAGAZINE'S SUMMARY.

VICTORIA IS A WOMEN'S LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE DESIGNED TO NOURISH THE FEMININE SOUL. CREATED FOR ALL WHO LOVE HERITAGE LINENS, CHARMING HOMES, GRACIOUS GARDENS, UNIQUE DECORATIVE TOUCHES, TRAVELING THE WORLD, AND ALL THAT IS BEAUTIFUL IN LIFE, VICTORIA PROMISES A RETURN TO LOVELINESS.

I stood and walked over to Mom's office and I thought to myself is this what she was talking about? Is it possible that changing the name in my book to Victoria was a sign? Mom was sitting at her desk chair and I gave her an inquiring look. "Mom, I was going through my old notes trying to remember why I decided to change one of my book characters names to Victoria. Apparently, I had seen the name on your magazine and that swayed me to change the name."

Mom gave me an anxious look. "Oh, you mean the Victoria magazine?"

"Yep, and I wrote down the magazines summary in my notes and you had underlined the words..."

Before I could continue, she spoke first. "Victoria, gracious and beautiful." She looked a little sad and began to explain. "Your father and I had always dreamed of having a son and a daughter. When I delivered you, I developed some complications, and the doctor advised us not to have any more children because of the risk factor."