" Look at her good, Lily," she said, " 'cause you're seeing the end of something." " I am?" " Yes, you are, because as long as people have been on this earth, the moon has been a mystery to us. Think about it. She is strong enough to pull the oceans, and when she dies away, she always comes back again. My mama used to tell me Our Lady lived on the moon and that I should dance when her face was bright and hibernate when it was dark." August stared at the sky a long moment and then, turning toward the house, said, " Now it won't ever be the same, not after they've landed up there and walked around on her. She'll be just one more science project. "