Fortune Teller

Trudy

Britany and I walk down a boardwalk with a few pubs and a popular nightclub. One the way to the club, we pass a fortune-teller stand. “Tru, let’s get our palms read,” Britany tells me excitedly. I shake my head. “Oh, come on, it will be fun. What’s the worse that can happen?”

“Look no offense to the teller, but there is no evidence that your palm has anything to do with the outcome of your life. Besides, you’re just inviting bad things to happen when you mess with trying to read the future.”

Britany looks at me, surprised, “I didn’t know you were so superstitious.”

“I’m not, but things like this give me the creeps.”

She sighs, “At least come with me to get mine done. You don’t have to do it.”

I nod, and we walk towards the woman’s stand. The sun is starting to set, and it looks like she is closing up the shop. “Hello ladies, what can I do for you?” The woman looks like a stereotypical gypsy. She has dark hair, lots of gold jewelry, and wearing clothes different from today's style. She looks at us and smiles, “My name is Mara.” Her accent is Ukraine, I believe.

“I would like to do a palm reading, please,” Britany tells her, excitement clear in her voice.

Mara smiles, “Sure. Let me finish up here, and I will meet you in the pub across the street. The lighting will be better than out here.”

We nod and walk to the pub. Britany and I take a seat. “We should order a Guinness.”

“Why?”

“Because we are in Ireland. Guinness is an Irish drink. Honestly, your lack of culture amazes me.”

“I knew what Guinness was and that it’s Irish. What I didn’t understand is why you want one. You hate most types of alcohol. Your drinks need enough fruit and sugar in them that the alcohol is tasteless.”

Britany shrugs, “When in Rome.”

I pause for a moment, “You’re right. Let’s order one.” I pat my purse, “It’s on, Bryan.”

She laughs, “In that case, we should also order food. I’m starving.”

“Okay, what do you want?”

“Let’s get traditional food. It’s our last night in Ireland.” I nod, and we order. I get Boxty while Britany gets Irish Stew.

“Hello ladies,” Mara walks in and sits with us. She changed her clothes and now looks like she belongs in the twenty-first century. “I brought my tarot cards in case you want answers not found in the palm. Now, who’s first?”

Britany eagerly gives Mara her hand. “It’s just me. My friend is a superstitious scaredy-cat.” I look at her and shake my head.

Mara just laughs and nods, “Many are. Your friend doesn’t like what can’t be explained by science.” Mara touches the palm of Britany’s hand and begins to explain the different lines. “You will meet a man in the next three years. He will give you great happiness and two children. From the looks of the lines, I am guessing girls, but these are never certain. Your life will be full of laughter but not adventure. It will be a long comfortable life with your husband.”

Britany smiles, “Anything else?”

Mara shakes her head, “No, you are quite boring. But you will be happy, and you will feel fulfilled.” Mara turns to me, “Now, your turn, little kitty.” I look at Britany. She is nodding for me to give Mara my hand. Letting out a sigh, I lay my palm out for her. She touches my hand and almost looks confused. “Your life is undecided.” She pulls back and grabs her cards. “Cut the deck into three piles.” I put the cards in three piles after she shuffles them a few times. She moves the cards again, fanning them out. “Pick from each stack.” I pick a card from the different piles.

The first she turns over says death, the second says empress, and the third says, lovers. Mara stares at the cards for a moment before looking up at me. “You will bring death to something while giving another life. Your heart and mind will be torn in two by love. One lover is old and familiar, while the other is new and clouded in mystery. Your heart will only belong to one of these men, while your mind will tell you the other is the better choice.” Mara takes my hand back, “Let me see your eyes.” Her other hand grabs my face and stares into my eyes. She whispers, “Drakon I vovk.”

“What does that mean?”

Mara’s voice is soft, almost like she’s in disbelief, “One is dark and a child of the moon. His ways are that of an animal. The other is born of fire. He is brutal, powerful, and beastly.” She pulls back and gathers her things, “I must go. You ladies enjoy your last night in Ireland.” Looking at me, she says, “I wish you all the best on your upcoming trials. Please remember, matters of the heart are not bound to logic and do not need reasons to be right.”

Then she leaves. I feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up and a shiver down my spine. “Was that not the coolest?” Britany says with a smile.

Our food arrives before I reply, and we eat in silence. After we finish, I ask to go back to the hotel, but instead, Britany drags me down the street to the nightclub. My eyes go to the bar as we walk in, and who do I see? None other than Bryan. I observe him. He’s standing next to his friend, talking to a girl. He’s trying to be a wingman to Tim. In mid-conversation, he pauses and looks towards me. A smile spreads across his face, and he quickly moves towards me.

“Tru, wow. I haven’t seen you look like this in a while.” I can hear the delight in his voice. It’s true, for the last ten months or so, I haven’t put effort into my appearance. Most of my time is focused on school, my mother, and work. Maybe I should put in a little more effort, but I just don’t have the energy. “I’ve only had one drink the entire night, and the only girls I’ve talked to are for Tim.”

I nod, “I watched you.”

“You’re a stalker.” I let out a laugh. “Would my stalker like to dance?” He offers me his hand, and I accept.

The rest of the night is dancing, laughing, and light drinking. We leave the club around three and head back to the hotel. Bryan takes me back to my room. He pushes me against the door, and his lips meet mine in a bruising kiss. Whispering against my lips, he asks, “Am I forgiven?”

I lightly nip his lower lip, causing him to groan, “Why don’t you repent a little more?”

Bryan follows me into my room, where we spend the rest of the night. After we made up, I lay in his arms. There are only a couple of hours before we are supposed to meet our travel group downstairs for breakfast. But for now, I’m going to enjoy laying here with him. I’m not sure I’ve forgiven him, but I’m not going to let a kiss he regrets ruin everything we’ve built. He has done a lot for me, and neither of us are perfect.