Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“Wait. I did something wrong?” I asked, surprised. “I really thought it would have been him.”
Cleo shushed me and I slapped a hand over my mouth.
“It takes two to tango,” said Karen, with the one eye on me again. “The pain attached to this document is so great it echoes.”
“It echoes?”
“So loudly it reached you a decade earlier.”
“Huh.”
“That’s everything I can tell you,” Karen said. “Readings tend to go better with less interruptions. They muddy the psychic waters, so to speak.”
I removed the hand. “That’s it? Can I ask something?”
She nodded, both eyes open now.
“How did the divorce certificate get in the wall?”
“Nothing came through about that.”
“Damn. The mystery remains unresolved.”
“Have your questions been answered?” asked Karen.
“Not so much,” said Cleo drily. “Is there any way you can give her something more?”
“Sure.” Karen picked up a pack of tarot cards and set them in front of me. “Shuffle these, please. And think about what you want to know.”
I put away the divorce certificate then did as told. The cards were soft around the edges from use and age. They were also a little large for my hands and awkward to shuffle.
As agreed, Lars and I hadn’t talked this week. Neither by text, phone, nor face-to-face. The man detox had been interesting. What Karen had said so far definitely reinforced my reasons for not wanting to date. Especially not Lars. Why would anyone want to deal with this shit? Emotions were messy and males were the worst. But I missed him more than I liked to admit. Which sucked. It had been a lonely week with no Lars and Cleo busy with Tore. While I knew a lot of people, I only had a couple of close friends. Though I got ahead on my work, spent quality time with the cat, and sorted some boxes.
I handed the cards back. “There you go.”
Karen dealt three cards facedown on the table. She flipped the first one.
“Death!” I screeched. “Are you kidding me?”
She tapped the card with a purple painted nail. “In most cases, the Death card signifies change. It’s shown here in reverse, meaning you’ve been resisting this change. That there are possibly behaviors and beliefs you need to shed to become a better version of yourself. Only then will you have a chance at being in a healthier relationship with both yourself and others going forward. In other words, Susie, you’re holding on to things that don’t benefit you.”
“Oh,” I said, relaxing. “Okay.”
She flipped another card. “The Knight of Cups. Which means love may be coming your way. But you could have a tendency to be in love with love and have unrealistic expectations. If you wish to succeed, you’re going to need to listen to your heart, but keep the real world in sight.”
I just frowned.
Karen flipped the final card and gave it a tap. “This is the Fool.”
“Well, that’s harsh,” I mumbled.
“It’s reversed, meaning that your somewhat lighthearted nature may need to be balanced by more caution. A risky relationship could be in your immediate future. One that is possibly lacking in commitment. You’ll weather it best by seeking that balance and looking to the future.”
I sighed. “So basically you’re saying that change is coming. That I should act like a grown-up and do my best not to make bad choices. But to especially not make the same mistakes I made before. And after all that, at the end of the day, no one really has a clue exactly how things will work out anyway.”
Karen thought it over for a moment. “Basically.”
“Right.”
“Did you want more woo-woo thrown in?”
“I can see why you’re friends with Lillian.” I smiled. “What’s your take on destiny or fate?”
“I believe that great things lie ahead for all of us,” she said. “If we learn the lessons we need to and grow as we go through life.”
“I’m sensing a theme here.”
“Funny thing.” Karen gathered up the cards and stood. “You can pay my daughter on your way out.”
Cleo patted me on the shoulder. “Sugar and carbs?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Are you going to tell Lars about this?”
I sighed. “Good question.”
Eight
Lars: Feel like drinks tonight? Be good to catch up. Cleo and Tore will be there.
Me: Will Aaron be there?
Lars: No.
Me: Ok. Sounds great!
We were meeting at a pub in Ballard near Market Street that served mead and aquavit. Lars’s blond head towered above the crowd near the bar. An easy point of reference.
Any nerves I had about seeing him again were hidden beneath a black camisole, black pants, and strappy heels. A little dressy, but sometimes a girl needed armor. It had been over a week since my housewarming party, when Lars and I last spoke. It would be nice to see him. I missed his dry sense of humor and the sound of his voice. We could just be friends. The divorce certificate could be ignored. Why, I hadn’t put my hand in my purse to fondle the soft paper in at least a minute. Tonight would be great. I was in a good mood and the smile stayed on my face right up until I saw the woman hanging off his arm. Holy shit. He’d brought a date. And not just anyone.