Moons of Jupiter
Photo courtesy of Jules Hunter
They agreed to meet at dusk, when the full moon was making its ascension in the sky. Alexi set up the telescope away from the boardwalk where the lighting was such the two of them could star gaze uninterrupted. Skylar set up their campsite near the edge of the beach.
As the darkness settled over the pair like a warm blanket, constellations began to sprinkle the sky.
“See that bright star off in the distance?” Alexi asked. “That’s Jupiter. Take a look through the lens here.”
Skylar did as instructed and watched as the large planet came into view, appearing the size of a tiny pebble with faint gaseous clouds striping it.
“What are those tiny dots around the planet?” Skylar asked.
“Those are the moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.”
“Ah, named after four of Zeus’s many lovers. And how many lovers have you brought to this special place?” Skylar teased.
“Only you,” Alexi whispered, the wound of Skylar’s innocent jest striking Alexi’s heart, causing it to crack ever so slightly. Then Alexi turned and walked down the boardwalk towards the shore.
“Alexi! Wait!” Skylar jogged down the planks and stumbled over a tuft of grass right at the edge before slipping in the dry sand.
Alexi didn’t notice and stood at the shoreline, listening to the crashing of the waves.
The pair had only been dating for six months, but for Alexi it felt like a lifetime. When Maurin died a year ago from cancer, Alexi swore life could never be the same. Star gazing was something Alexi and Maurin shared and had plans to come to this very beach where the views were the best. They even had made a pact that one day their souls would meet among the moons of Jupiter where they could then spend eternity exploring the infinite depths of the Universe. Together. In love. Always.
Then Skylar came into view. Skylar with the jet black hair and soulful eyes. Skylar with the impish grin and boundless curiosity. Skylar brought a renewed sense of living and Alexi finally felt life was back on course and worth the bittersweetness that bubbled up now and again.
“I know Maurin was the love of your life,” Skylar said, now by Alexi’s side. “I was just hoping that you could be mine.”
In that moment, Alexi knew it was time to let Skylar fully into that special place of the heart where love is wider than the sky, and deeper than the Universe. Alexi felt an internal cracking and suddenly realized the heart was not breaking as much as it was expanding to let more love inside.
Right then, right at the spot where the moons of Jupiter glittered, a shower of stars rained down, forming the shapes of three hearts that slowly melded into one.
This is week 3 of 4 of my May photo contest. Join me on my social media where you have the chance to win a signed copy of my upcoming novel, Guardians of the Keys.