What Do You See?

20

"Theo, I don't think we should be here," I said nervously.

"Ah, come on Mindy. We finally got the kids away with Clayton and Kitty. I think we deserve a break."

"So you want to get out fortunes read?" I hissed.

"It's for fun. These things aren't real, they just make money from you."

"Fine! But if she predicts your death, know in advance that I'm the killer."

"You wouldn't kill this dashing prince."

"I'll stab you with my heels, cut your toes off, weave it into a necklace and choke you with it."

"That was...quite graphic...and scary." He said as we entered the tent.

"Welcome children. I am Madam Nagina." Theo rolled his eyes at the cliché words.

"Come sit, children. You boy, let me see your palm."

Theo reluctantly held his palm out.

"Ooh. I see a girl with grey eyes... blonde hair. She says she's sorry...she says that it was a long time ago... on a farm...field ...with yellow flowers. Her shoes...boots are torn...she's crying."

"I'm not sure if that was a scam or not."

"Shush you boy!" The fortuneteller said.

"I was just being honest." He mumbled.

"Girl... there was a lady... your mother... she didn't tell you... another sibling... you may have an older sibling. From before she met your father."

"Ookaay! I think we should leave now." I said, throwing the money on the table and rushed out.

-_-_-_-

We had been walking in silence for a while now.

"Miranda, listen. I think you should find out about what that last said."

"I thought you said it was all fake."

"Not after what she told me."

I looked at him quizzically, encouraging him to elaborate as we sat on a bench.

"I know who she was talking about. I had a sister -step sister- and I hated her guts. When my dad told my mom he was married previously, I couldn't deal with it. Until I found out she was in a coma."

"Theo...you don'thave to explain."

"No. I want to. I went to the hospital eventually, and I still hadn't rid myself of hatred and anger. So I swore her and... And then she had a seizure. She died in front of me and I didn't even take the time to know her."

"H-how old were you?"

"I was twelve. Debbie was 12."

At this point, Theo's gaze was stoney, but his eyes were glossy. Turning to him, I hugged him.

"I thought it was a lie they told families...that catatonic patients can hear everything. I worked hard after that, occupied my traumatised mind with school, never had any friends, ate what was required. I finished school at fourteen."

"So why psychology? You were smart enough to do anything."

"I felt like I owed Debbie. I still do. So I did psychology. I just can't bearit...that I killed her." He whispered.

"It's okay. You don't need to feel that anymore. You heard what she said, Debbie is in a nicer place." I said, pulling him closer.

We say like that, on the bench, for a while until we heard Clayton's unmistakable voice.