Page 11 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“The ace of cups in reverse is where you were.”
“You already said that.”
She continues. “You were following paths that weren’t emotionally fulfilling. It drained your energy. That was a bad thing. It kept you from doing what mattered.”
Laurel is vibrant as she reads the cards, the words coming a mile a minute. Our late mother approacheddivination differently. She was quiet, and she let the cards whisper to her. Laurel lets them speakthroughher. She’s a ball of energy, and the words flow from her without thought or care.
She slaps her hand against the middle card.
“The three of cups is where you are, and—duh—it’s you partying with your sisters. You’re filling that cup up and reconnecting to what matters.”
“Which is…?”
“Family.”
“But I’ve always been connected to you.”
I do everything for my sisters. Every job, every shift,everything. Even before my mother passed, my family was always in the back of my mind. It’s why Aspen distancing herself from us makes no sense to me…
But she’s happy. That’s all I care about.
“Not like that,” she says. Her expression becomes severe. “You’re supposed to be connecting to thefunof sisterhood and witchery.”
“I don’t see how that will bring me money.”
This is why I don’t specialize in tarot. It’s fun, but it rarely has constructive advice. I should have gone to Rowan and checked on my transits. There must be something happening in the stars.
“You’re focusing on the wrong things.” She points at the final card—the six of cups. “Someone from your past will return. They will come to you with an offer, and you will”—her lips press together—“try to refuse, but to refuse is to deny your desires. It will not work.”
My heart races. “What? I know that’sonepotential way to read the card, but…”
The image on the six of cups is a man and a woman exchanging a pot of flowers. It tends to be a romantic card,but this is a money reading. Ineedher to find another interpretation.
“It’s the only way,” she says. “Not in general, obviously, but in this reading. That’s your message from the gods. You’re supposed to focus on your connections right now. Be open-minded and live with an open heart.”
Laurel’s readings are usually spot on, even if she delivers them in obscure ways. She missed the mark this time, but I don’t want to say so. The last thing I want is to stifle her passion.
“And your money advice is…?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about money. Focus on reconnecting to joy. Find your inner child, and keep an open heart. Have fun! Meet new people!”
“Great.” I force a smile. “Thanks.”
“Juni.” I’m about to stand, but her hand on mine keeps me in place. When Laurel looks at me, it feels like she’s lookingthroughme. “Don’t write my advice off. This is what mom would have wanted.”
My throat is dry when I swallow.
None of my sisters bring up our mother. We haven’t spoken about her since the funeral. Laurel is the exception. She’s the only one who knows how to talk about her; I certainly don’t.
My stomach drops. Even with her green hair, she looks the most like our mother. Her eyes have the same shape, and her hands move like Mom’s when she shuffles those cards.
But she’s not my mother—or even close. Laurel is my baby sister, and she’s never had a real job. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’m going to town for the morning.”
And no matter what Laurel says—I’m looking for a job. I won’t be looking for love, fun, or any other concepts she’strying to shove down my throat. No one will pay me to have a good time.
I need something to force me to my feet, carry me to my room, and help me pick an outfit for my job-hunting excursion. This reading is what does it. I’m determined to prove those stupid cards wrong.
