Page 20 of What If We Do

“I don’t not believe in it, I guess,” Scarlett answers. “I want to believe ghosts are real even though I’ve never actually seen one, so, you know…” She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess I can believe in it. I’m at least curious to know what she has to say.”

How bad can it be?

“Then let’s do it.”

We climb the stairs to the second floor and follow one of the signs to a small nook area where an older woman sits at a small round table. She’s dressed in a ragged long purple dress with tiny silver and gold sparkly beads sewn in starry patterns. There are a few mixed metal and leather necklaces around her neck as well as a few metal bangle bracelets around each wrist. Herheadband even matches her dress and the feathers hanging from her hair are a nice touch.

“Hello, my dears,” she greets us. “I had a feeling I would be speaking with you this evening.”

Sure lady. You clearly say that to everyone.

She motions for us to take the two seats opposite her, and once we’re seated and comfortable, she smiles at us, a few teeth missing but no worse for the wear.

“You would like a palm reading tonight, yes?”

Scarlett nods. “Yes, please. I’ve never had one done before.”

“Well, my name is Rowena and I will be your oracle for this evening. Now, which is your dominant hand?”

Scarlett gives Rowena her right hand and watches in awe as Rowena turns it over, examining and feeling her skin and then studying the lines on her palm for several quiet moments. She gives Scarlett’s hand a gentle squeeze and then presses along the sides.

“Ah, this hand has bounce to it,” she states. “This means you have a natural refinement about you and an energy loved by many.” She presses down on Scarlett’s fingers and tugs her thumb back slightly, nodding with each movement. “You show flexibility in your aura and you are very generous. Your pinky finger stands out from the rest of your hand. This means you are of strong business mind; you communicate well and are quite independent.”

“Now, let’s get to this beautiful palm.” Rowena brings a magnifying glass to Scarlett’s hand, tracing some of the lines in her palm. “Ah, yes, doors are opening for you, my dear. Prosperity and success look good for you.” She smiles and wipes her hand down Scarlett’s palm like she’s trying to soothe it, her brows furrowed. “I am sorry for the heartache you have endured for it was surely not your fault…“

Scarlett flashes me a confused glance but it’s not like her life hasn’t made headlines. Rowena could’ve known she was coming. She could’ve read about Scarlett’s failed wedding in any of the Hollywood media outlets.

“But rest assured, young one, people you care about will grow closer to you and you will live a long and very happy life. You will even gain a sister.”

“That’s impossible,” Scarlett whispers. “I’m an only child.”

Rowena pats Scarlett’s hand. “This line here tells me you are a late bloomer,” she says. “And while that might be sad news as a young girl, as an adult, you should know that the best is yet to come.”

Scarlett’s brows peak. “Well, that’s good to know.”

“You are a hopeless romantic and looking forward to your happily ever after.”

Internally I roll my eyes.

That’s too easy to say to a woman who is literally wearing a bridal gown right now.

“And I am happy to tell you, you will find love, but you will find it far from home. You tend to step into the water of your life with one foot out and one foot in, but my dear, I will tell you that you will gain all the things in life you most desire if you jump into that water with both feet.”

Finally, she lets go of Scarlett’s hand and sits back in her chair.

“Thank you, so much,” Scarlett says with a smile. I can already tell she’s trying to put all the pieces together to make sense for her.

Rowena nods and then lays her hand open toward me. “You next?”

“Uh, sure.”

I give her my left hand to study and she does so with much curiosity. She turns it over, her fingers smoothing over the linesof my palm, and then she shakes her head. “This is not your dominant hand, my son.”

Wow.

How did she know that?

“You’re right,” I tell her with a mischievous smile. “I was trying to trick you.”

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