Lunar Inn

THEN

At first, there was only the dark. An absolute void full of life, sparked by a single singularity that created well, everything. You know how the story goes, after all it is your story, our beginning.

We assume stars, the light waves that travel through them to us, the atoms in the smallest of ants, even ourselves are separate beings; when in reality we are just a mere extension of the universe that surrounds us. A great system of protons and electrons, of charges of electricity that fire up across our body and mind to keep it alive. A system that in itself carries the same ingredients that make up our sun, our galaxy, our whole existence. We are not separated from the universe, but we are the universe itself with its infinity of consciousness and awareness of the whole around us. 

...

River Falls, OR.

Celia Murphy was born with a star on her name, and an infinite supply of ice cream. Life couldn't get much better than that. Her family owned Velvet Vessels, a dairy factory residing at the edge of the small town of River Falls, Oregon. Little Celia's life had been planned and handed out to both her and her older brother Malcolm on a silver platter. But even though her family and the town of River Falls reminded Celia every breathing second she was born lucky, Celia would describe her life as anything but.

By the time the leaves crunched on the sidewalk, and the twilight lingered on her 21st birthday, Celia's luck had soured like curled cream. Malcolm was given the co presidency of Velvet Vessels, and Celia sentenced to oversee the Murphy state. The manor, with its towering windows, golden chandeliers, and fields of flowers held a paradise within. While River Falls gave its opinion about Celia's fortunate position, only one man saw the down spiral turn her life was about to take.

Wyatt Moon was not born lucky, but lucky to be born at all. Unlike Celia, Wyatt was River Falls' outcast, no-good-at-all son of a deadbeat man whose luck also ran out. He knew what life had in store for people like him, and he had no rush to get there whatsoever. Wyatt Moon did not consider himself a fortunate man, until he met Celia Murphy.

Time stood still around her, the gift of daydreaming a new life, a reality in which both of them were free was never a problem. In search of a home to call their own, Celia and Wyatt escaped River Falls and headed for the open road. And it was in the summer of 1975 when Wyatt and Celia Moon not only arrived at their forever home, the house that would host their beginnings and premature end.

Hollow Creek, AZ, 1978

Harvey Chapman waited cross-legged on top of his bed. He had done everything his mom had requested: place Julie to sleep, brush his teeth, pick up the toys he dragged across the small house, and be wrapped up in his bed for her to come in. 

"I'm almost asleep, Mom!" Harvey yawned. The faint voices of Loraine and Cooper Chapman resonated behind the bedroom door. The one-floor house made it easier for Harvey to spy on conversations he was not allowed to know about. But before he could even make out whatever it was his parents were hushing about, Loraine opened the door to her kids' bedroom.

"What did I tell you about eavesdropping?" She cocked her neck to one side, Harvey just shrugged, staring anywhere that wasn't his mom.

"To not," Harvey whispered, still not staring at Loraine.

Harvey's mom sighed and whisked him into her arms as laughter and giggles erupted from them both. She placed Harvey on his bed sheets with battleships and space knights adorning the quilts. Loraine opened the small notebook, making herself comfortable at the foot of the bed; and began to read.