The Holland Press

Moon Stone. Episode Four. Greedy Little Raccoons.

Gemma sat in the foyer in a wingbacked chair where she could see the duo through the kitchen doorway. Too far to eavesdrop, she was gauging the tones in the conversation. All is well, she decided.

“Gem?” The assistant rose at once to the sound of her elder.

Gemma appeared in the doorway in an instant. “Yes, Mum?”

“Don’t we have some nut bread in the fridge? We might need a break.”

Gemma walked toward the cabinets to retrieve plates before opening the refrigerator. “We do indeed.”

Benjamin had already noticed that she was very attractive with an athletic body, trying to see more without being obvious made it much more obvious.

“I’m going to stretch my legs, Benjamin. Make yourself at home, we’re still on your time after all.”

Benjamin rose respectfully.

Luna got up slowly and moved across the kitchen floor. She met Gemma bringing two plates to the table, she touched her shoulder and whispered, “Join us.”

Luna made her way into the living room while Gemma brought another plate, the banana nut bread on a dish and silverware.

“More coffee?” She asked Benjamin.

“Yes, please. Is there something I can do?”

“No, no, just be the guest. It’s good that you’re here.”

Luna returned and found her way back to her seat while Gemma sliced and served.

“I want you to get your money’s worth Benjamin. Ask me something.” Said Luna.

“I do have a question. I read ‘Too Big’ in high school. It was brilliant. Will you tell me about that?” Asked Benjamin, beginning to choose his words more precisely.

“Oh, well, that’s a good story. One Thursday morning the neighbor’s dog wouldn’t stop barking. I looked out the window there to see some rustler in my garbage can. I had hauled it out to the curb, trash day, you know. The side of the lid was bouncing up and a fat raccoon backed out, he’d gotten a hold of a full loaf of moldy bread I’d thrown in there. He couldn’t be satisfied with a piece of it, he wanted the whole bag. The lid kept closing on it, he couldn’t pull it out but he wouldn’t give up. I watched him for twenty minutes. The garbage truck came and the worker had a chore just to persuade him away with a straw broom. The raccoon had become so brave and focused, he couldn’t hear the dog barking, he couldn’t see a threat coming, he was so determined. I suddenly saw a greedy little man, obsessive and blind to the world around him. That insanity is what I wrote.”

“From a raccoon in the garbage?” Benjamin asked. “You won a Pulitzer and the Booker.”

“And an invitation to speak at the U.N.” Gemma added, stepping into the conversation.

“Ah, yes, well my experience as a journalist over there paid off.” Luna waved her hand nonchalantly as she spoke.

“I’d love to hear more about that. The inner workings.”

“The inner workings are simple things that add up. I met people. As a woman I wasn’t threatening. I asked questions, not just about politics, I asked about their children too. I moved around. I made friends. I learned to hold onto trust and there were some hard lessons early on. In a few months I had my own little network. Then I was invited to Saudi.”

“Then you went to prison.” Benjamin blurted. Gemma gave him a look.

“For not revealing her sources.” Gemma defended.

“It was more complicated than that, but yes, and thank God it was an election year. I got a presidential pardon.”

“That’s a long way, from prison to the United Nations.” Said Benjamin.

“Yet not so very different environments. Politics works the same everywhere. Greedy little raccoons.”

No one spoke for a moment. Luna’s eyes drifted toward the back window. “The snow has stopped.”

Gemma touched her arm. “Luna, how are you feeling?” Benjamin’s face showed his concern.

“I’m tired all of a sudden.” She stared at Benjamin. “What’s wrong?”

“Smile Ben.” Instructed Gemma. “Reassure her.”

Ben smiled. “Nothing is wrong. Everything is fine.”

“You’ve gotten so thin.”

“Let me help you to bed, Luna.” Gemma stood and steadied her.

“What can I do?” Asked Benjamin.

“Call your Uber. I have her.”