The Final Seven

Chapter 6

June 12th, 2014 - 10:14 P.M

We exited the fun house and began making our way to the entrance.  It was getting late, and I knew the date was going to end soon, so we intentionally dragged are feet as we walked to the entrance.  Neither of us wanted the night to end.  As we approached the gate, I noticed a small tent that I did not see as we came in.  There was smoke rising from the center of the teepee-like structure, and the sign in front said Fortune Teller.

I was looking for any excuse to continue out date.  “C’mon, Jason.  Let’s get our future read.”

I grabbed his arm and began pulling him to the tent.  He stopped dead in his tracks, and when I saw his face, I saw a genuine look of concern.  It was almost as if he feared the tent.

“It’s getting late, Jess.  I should probably get you home.  I don’t want your mom to worry.”

I hadn’t told him anything about Mother, yet.  I rolled my eyes.  “Trust me.  She won’t care if I’m a few minutes late.  Let’s go.  It’ll be fun.”  I continued to urge him.

Reluctantly, he allowed me to guide him into the tent.  Inside, the air was heavy with the smell of incense.  The heat was stifling in the room without any air circulation.  A number of grotesque figurines lined the shelves around the tent, and a small table, with three chairs, stood in the middle room. 

On the opposite side of the table, sat a frail, old woman engulfed in a red, velvet cloak.  It was surprising that the woman was able to remain upright underneath the massive amount of clothing.  The outfit must’ve weighed more than she did.  However, she was able to sit in her chair with her head down.

Jason and I took our seats opposite of the fortune teller.  Right as we hit the seats the woman dramatically raised her head and stared at us.  I shivered went I looked into the eyes of the woman.  Her eyes were a white, milky shade but did not seem to impair her vision.

“You wish to see the meaning of your past?  Or so you want to know the possibilities of your future?    Her cloak must have had a hidden microphone, because her gloomy voice reverberated around the tent as if projected from speakers.  More smoke billowed from underneath the table, adding more flair to the theatrics.

“Uggh, I know about my past.  I don’t need to know what it means,” I chuckled.  “Tell me my future please, Madame.”  Jason continued to fidget nervously.

“I shall read the cards for you.”  She reached inside her cloak and pulled out a large stack of tarots.  She set the cards on the table, and fanned them out in front of her.

She raised her hand in gesture to me.  “Please, my child.  Choose a card.”

I grinned widely and pointed to a card on the table.  The woman picked up the card I pointed to and turned it over.

“Mhmm, interesting,” she said sage-like.  The card was a medieval image of Cupid, holding his infamous bow and arrow.

“Love,” the woman continued, “It appears that you are destined for love, my dear.  It will come to be most unexpected, and at a critical time of your life.”  She pulled the love card and set it to the side.”

I smiled at Jason sitting next to me.  He laughed nervously, but returned my smile.

“Choose another, my dear.”

I reached out and chose a card at one of the ends.  The woman picked up the card, and again turned it over.  On the card was flawless man in a flowing white robe.  Above the man’s head rested a golden, circular halo.

“Oh this is interesting,” the woman said, while staring at the card.  “Angelic.  It seems that you have a guardian angel, sweetie.  Someone is watching out for you.”