Victor wraps Amber in his arms and nuzzles his face against hers, “Please, for me? Itismy birthday, after all.”
“It’ll be fun, Amber,” Jon reiterates. “And if you need someone to protect you, Lucas volunteers.”
“I do?” Lucas questions, unsure if his husband is joking or not.
Amber grimly gives Victor a side-eyed glance, “Your birthday was yesterday,” Amber groans as she pushes Victor off her. “Fine. But if I get cursed, this is all on you, birthday boy.”
Victor gestures to Amber to take his arm. She wraps her arm around his, and the group walks out of the hotel to tour the city and the oldest graveyard in New Orleans. Forty minutes into the tour, they arrive at the graveyard. As their tour guide walks them through, she explains why the graves are above ground and how the term “graveyard shift” originated.
While walking around the tombs, the woman with the tight braids appears, walking down another aisle of tombs parallel to Victor and his friends. She has her braids in a bun on top of her head and is wearing a green and purple flowy dress. She keeps her distance as she watches Victor.
Victor doesn’t notice her right away as he listens to the guide and reads the names on the tombs. He stops to read the names on one of the larger tombs. When he turns his head, he makes eye contact with the woman. She gives a bit of a mischievous smile.
Victor taps Lucas on the shoulder. “I think this lady is looking at me funny.”
Lucas looks over, “What lady?”
Victor turns his head back, and she is no longer there. He blinks a few times and looks around. “Nothing. I must still be drunk.”
Lucas tilts his head, pondering his friend’s mental state. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Victor lightly nods and mutters, “Yeah.”
Jon looks over at Victor and Lucas and asks, “What’s going on?”
“He’s just seeing things,” Lucas responds.
Amber jumps into the conversation, “Who’s seeing what? I told you this was a bad idea.”
“Babe, calm down,” Lupe comments subtly. “Don’t make a scene where I have to drag you off.”
“Oh, please do,” Frank encourages. “I always enjoy a good lesbian catfight.”
Lupe rolls her eyes, “I’m about to drag you off, Frank.”
Victor interjects, “Guys, I’m still hung over because of Elliott.”
“You’re welcome,” Elliott says proudly.
“Let’s just finish this tour and get something to eat. I’m getting hungry.” Victor’s friends agree and catch up with the tour group. Before Victor walks away, he turns back to where he saw the woman.
Later that night, the friends leave a diner and walk toward Bourbon Street. Victor slows down and stops to look down at one of the streets. “Let’s go this way,” he suggests.
Frank leans back on one leg to look down the street. “There are no bars down this street,” Frank responds.
“I know,” Victor replies. “The streets are like a grid. We’ll make it there eventually. Besides, I want to check out the architecture of the buildings.”
To their surprise, they enjoy the scenery and the small shops along the way. When Victor comes upon one of the avenues leading to Bourbon Street, something tells him to walk downit. Unbeknownst to this action, Victor gestures to his friends to follow. As they walk down the avenue, they come across a painted sign offering tarot and palm readings.
Victor is intrigued and turns to his friends. “Let’s check this place out.”
Amber hesitates, “I don’t know. I’ve never liked the idea of having my palm read, let alone having cards tell me my future.”
“They don’t tell youyourfuture,” Victor comments. “That’s a misconception about tarot. It’s more of a guide. You take it as you will.”
“You talk as if you know how to read tarot,” Lucas comments.
Victor shrugs, “My grandma used to read tarot cards. She did it mostly as a hobby.”
