“Verna’s Psychic Retreat, Verna speaking.” The soothing female voice could be heard after the first ring. “What’s troubling your soul, traveler?”
“Hey, Vern,” I said, plopping onto the sofa. “It’s me.”
“Adam, hun! So sweet of you to call. It’s been a while.”
“Yeah. I have been working my ass off.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How are you?”
“Shitty. Fine. Better. All of the above?”
Long story short, I met Verna Bulut while investigating the murder of a professional magician a few years back. Her psychic abilities didn’t help me find the perp, but she introduced me to the benefits of massages and occasional chit-chat with a stranger. After she gave me her card, I would call her now and then when I got lonely and needed to buy myself a friend.
“How are you, Vern? How is business?”
“Oh, I’m having a crazy day. My phone has been ringing off the hook, but it’s the weather, see. Saturn is off balance, and its influence is devastating. I assume you haven’t been sleeping much lately, especially with your insomnia.”
“Actually, I have been meaning to ask you something,” I said, kicking off my shoes. “If you were offered a sleeping pill, but it made you feel funny… would you still take it?”
“How funny, hun?”
“Well, let’s say it makes you feel confused. Maybe you made a mistake or two after you drank it. It’s messing with your head and your… libido.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What are the benefits of this pill?”
“I sleep like the dead. I’m less jittery. People don’t irritate me as much. In the mornings, when I wake up, I’m… well, not happy, but content. I feel different, but I’m not sure I like it.”
“So this pill helps you sleep, gives you comfort, and makes you feel like a different person? It sounds good to me, despite the occasional side effects. What’s her name, by the way?”
Verna’s giggle made me fidget in discomfort.
“No, it’s not like that… It’s more like a friend thing. Well, not that either. An ex-enemy thing turned… comrade, maybe? It’s like… have you ever eaten something that tastes delicious but makes your stomach feel funny? Do you like lemons? Am I making any sense?”
“More than you know,” Verna said patiently. “Change is good, Adam. Sometimes, it pulls you out of your comfort zone, but we all need a good shake-up from time to time.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I would prefer if things went back to how they were.”
“Are you sure about that? Were you happy? Were you rested? I’m thinking no. That’s why you should give this a shot. Accept a helping hand. Not everyone is out to get you. There are still good people in this world, and you shouldn’t be afraid to let them into your life.”
“Hmm,” I hummed, mulling it over.
“Everyone needs someone, Adam.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I admitted with a sigh. “Anyway, thanks for the chat. Charge it to my card, will you?”
“No problem. Thanks, hun.”
“Thank you, Vern. Talk to you later.”
I hung up, gazing into the distance where the city lights flickered, restless like me. I always felt alone in the world, but nights like these, starless and silent, brought out something ugly in me. So ugly that if I were a wild animal, I would go out and hunt.
Change is good.
Verna’s words clung to my ears like a tune impossible to shake off.
Change is good.
I didn’t have to decide tonight if she was right, but I didn’t have to spend the night alone either.
