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Authors: Annetta Ribken, Eden Baylee
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Pulp Ark nominee, she has devoted
herself to novels, short stories, poetry, and playwriting. Jessica has had
thirteen books published in five years, including the bestselling Rabbits in the Garden The Sky: The World and the gritty coming-of-age thriller, PINS . More info on her speculations and
publications can be found at JessicaMcHughBooks.com .
***
THE LOVERS
A Modern Affair
By Eden Baylee
Strands of jet-black hair brushed her face as she tilted
her head from side to side. I guessed her to be no more than thirty, but her
bad skin aged her by at least a decade. Even with her face hidden in shadows,
the lines around her mouth revealed she smoked. Her intensity frightened me a
little as I watched her eyes narrow. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat,
fighting the urge to say something.
“I see a man,” she said, finally breaking the silence.
Her husky voice reverberated off the walls of the tiny room. She continued to
stare intently at my cards. “Is there a man?”
A tiny smile curled my lips. “Yes, there is.”
“Is he a lot younger than you?”
“No.”
“Hmm…” She pressed her fist to her lips. “Perhaps he is
less mature?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as she fished for information.
My husband was twelve years older than me, the furthest thing from immature. I
remained silent to avoid offering any clues.
“I see a man who is either biologically younger than you
or sexually less mature.”
I nodded to show support, just because I felt bad she
was so far off the mark. “And what does this card mean?” I pointed to The Lovers , the card in the middle of my
Tarot spread.
“It can mean many things. The five apples on the tree
behind the woman represent the five senses, indicating sensual love is very
important to her. The snake suggests the temptations of the world, perhaps a
love affair.”
I chuckled but quickly regained my composure. “Are you
saying I will have an affair with a young, immature man?”
She shook her head, leaned back in the chair. “Not
necessarily.”
I massaged my temples. “Okay, what does it say about the
man?”
“The flames behind the man represent the flames of
passion, his primary concern.”
I don’t think so.
“Your card is upright,” she continued, “an indicator of
harmony, trust, and mutual attractiveness. On a more personal level, it
represents your own belief system, staying true to who you are.”
“Staying true? About what?”
She looked me square in the eyes. “Just be aware of the
difference between love and infatuation.”
My face tightened. Her words made no sense to me. “Thank
you for your time.”
“You’re welcome.” She offered a sympathetic look before
sweeping the cards off the table. “One more thing. If
you find yourself at a moral crossroads, consider all consequences before
acting. The Lovers card is about making choices, and they are not always easy
or obvious.”
I walked out of the dimly illuminated apartment
following the thirty-minute reading, thankful I had only paid twenty dollars
for it. Though I could relate to what the Tarot reader said about my career
choices, her implausible thoughts on my love life merely amused me. I filed the
experience away until a week later when I recounted the highlights to a friend
over drinks.
“You’re the most grounded person I know, Ellen. I didn’t
think you believed in stuff like that.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I did it on a whim.”
“So, you think there’s something to it?”
“To what? To
Tarot cards?”
“No, to what she said about the young man and an
affair.”
I scoffed. “Of course not. I
love Patrick. You know that.”
“Yes, but…” she leaned in and lowered her voice, “it’s
been awhile, hasn’t it?”
My cheeks reddened and I took a sip of wine. Marilyn was
my best friend, and I had confided in her about my situation. Still, I flinched
at the honesty of her words. “Like you said, I’m the most grounded person you
know.”
***
The
herself to novels, short stories, poetry, and playwriting. Jessica has had
thirteen books published in five years, including the bestselling Rabbits in the Garden The Sky: The World and the gritty coming-of-age thriller, PINS . More info on her speculations and
publications can be found at JessicaMcHughBooks.com .
***
THE LOVERS
A Modern Affair
By Eden Baylee
Strands of jet-black hair brushed her face as she tilted
her head from side to side. I guessed her to be no more than thirty, but her
bad skin aged her by at least a decade. Even with her face hidden in shadows,
the lines around her mouth revealed she smoked. Her intensity frightened me a
little as I watched her eyes narrow. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat,
fighting the urge to say something.
“I see a man,” she said, finally breaking the silence.
Her husky voice reverberated off the walls of the tiny room. She continued to
stare intently at my cards. “Is there a man?”
A tiny smile curled my lips. “Yes, there is.”
“Is he a lot younger than you?”
“No.”
“Hmm…” She pressed her fist to her lips. “Perhaps he is
less mature?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as she fished for information.
My husband was twelve years older than me, the furthest thing from immature. I
remained silent to avoid offering any clues.
“I see a man who is either biologically younger than you
or sexually less mature.”
I nodded to show support, just because I felt bad she
was so far off the mark. “And what does this card mean?” I pointed to The Lovers , the card in the middle of my
Tarot spread.
“It can mean many things. The five apples on the tree
behind the woman represent the five senses, indicating sensual love is very
important to her. The snake suggests the temptations of the world, perhaps a
love affair.”
I chuckled but quickly regained my composure. “Are you
saying I will have an affair with a young, immature man?”
She shook her head, leaned back in the chair. “Not
necessarily.”
I massaged my temples. “Okay, what does it say about the
man?”
“The flames behind the man represent the flames of
passion, his primary concern.”
I don’t think so.
“Your card is upright,” she continued, “an indicator of
harmony, trust, and mutual attractiveness. On a more personal level, it
represents your own belief system, staying true to who you are.”
“Staying true? About what?”
She looked me square in the eyes. “Just be aware of the
difference between love and infatuation.”
My face tightened. Her words made no sense to me. “Thank
you for your time.”
“You’re welcome.” She offered a sympathetic look before
sweeping the cards off the table. “One more thing. If
you find yourself at a moral crossroads, consider all consequences before
acting. The Lovers card is about making choices, and they are not always easy
or obvious.”
I walked out of the dimly illuminated apartment
following the thirty-minute reading, thankful I had only paid twenty dollars
for it. Though I could relate to what the Tarot reader said about my career
choices, her implausible thoughts on my love life merely amused me. I filed the
experience away until a week later when I recounted the highlights to a friend
over drinks.
“You’re the most grounded person I know, Ellen. I didn’t
think you believed in stuff like that.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I did it on a whim.”
“So, you think there’s something to it?”
“To what? To
Tarot cards?”
“No, to what she said about the young man and an
affair.”
I scoffed. “Of course not. I
love Patrick. You know that.”
“Yes, but…” she leaned in and lowered her voice, “it’s
been awhile, hasn’t it?”
My cheeks reddened and I took a sip of wine. Marilyn was
my best friend, and I had confided in her about my situation. Still, I flinched
at the honesty of her words. “Like you said, I’m the most grounded person you
know.”
***
The
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