“What?” She looks around curiously. “I don’t even know that person. Are you sure it’s something I’ll want.”
“Positive.” I hand her the drink she gave me, and grab her hand, sliding the band over her wrist. “Looks like the Gods are smiling down on you tonight.”
“Wh-what is this?” I take her hand and lead her around the railing to entrance onto the platform.
“Your VIP pass,” I grin down at her, “you get to see the fortune teller after all.”
14
Jaylen
“Please tellme you didn’t spend a small fortune on this.” I’m grateful he went out of his way to get one for me, but I knew going in what this party was for. It’s a networking event, and we only managed to get in because of the connections Hannah and Kelly have. They run in these circles and were able to buy tickets before anyone else.
“Not at all.” He nods in the direction the woman went. “I asked the bartender how to get one, and why I wanted it. That woman and her date heard me and she gave it to me.”
Wow. Kind people do exist. It’s hard to remember that in all the crap that goes on in the world, and the things some of my students have to deal with on a daily basis. But this is completely unexpected. I throw my hands around him, forgetting I have a drink in my hand, spilling a bit of it on the floor. “Thank you so much!”
“I told you I’d do whatever I could.” He really didn’t do much, but it means the world to me that he was willing to try. “Stay here and I’ll grab some napkins to clean that up.” He backs up and finishes his drink, setting it on a table as he makes his way to the bar.
I don’t know what I did to deserve him coming back into my life, but I’m grateful. These are the small things nobody I dated before would do. The comparisons I made between them and Patrick. Even when we were friends as kids, he always made sure I didn’t want for anything. Constantly going out of his way, and doing odd jobs, to give me the world. And here he is, fifteen years since speaking to each other, doing it again.
Someone taps on my shoulder and I turn toward them. “It’s your turn.”
“Oh, thank you.” I was so busy watching Patrick I hadn’t realized the line moved forward. Taking a few steps forward, I approach the table. None of this is real, I know that. At least, I’m pretty sure it’s not. I don’t want to say one way or another. Everyone has their own beliefs. But it’s fun, and maybe I’ll get some insight about what I should do with this new development between me and Patrick.
“Please, sit down.” The woman gestures to the chair in front of her. “I’m sensing a conflict in your life.”
Woah, talk about hitting the nail on the head. I’m sure everyone has some sort of conflict going on, but it feels pretty acute for me since Patrick leaves in a few short days. “How did you know?”
“It’s my job,” she shrugs her shoulders, “would you like a card reading?”
“Um, sure.” I don't know what to expect. I’ve only seen this done in movies. Or, on the drunken occasion when Hannah and Kelly have dragged me to the French Quarter for a weekend of partying.
“Okay. Touch the top of the deck to put your energy into the card, and think of a question in your mind while I shuffle the cards.”
I do as she asks and lightly touch the card deck. I know I don't have to close my eyes, but I do anyway because I feel absolutely ridiculous watching her shuffle the cards.
When I open them, she has the cards in her hand. “Would you like to pull them or do you want me to?”
“You please. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
The first card she pulls is Death. What in the world does that mean? All I know is that it doesn’t necessarily mean actual death. Could it be my budding relationship with Patrick? I have no idea.
The next card is ten of swords. The last card she flips over is The Lovers. She sucks in a breath. I’m not sure if she does this for dramatic effect, or if this means something, but it’s worrisome either way.
“Is that bad?”
She looks over the cards before answering my question. “The death card could mean that you shut the door on something in your past. It doesn’t always mean literal death.”
She’s not wrong there. When Patrick told me he loved me as teens, I freaked out and practically slammed the door in his face. “What else?”
“The ten of swords could mean exhaustion or the end of something in your present.”
The end of something? Does that mean whatever is going on between me and Patrick is doomed before it begins? “Okay.”
“The Lovers represent a choice when it comes to a relationship. The choice will be up to you.”
Because that isn’t cryptic. How is the choice up to me? Last time I checked two people make the choice. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out between me and Patrick.
