Chapter Seven
Gia
Why am I doing this … again?
I really don't want to. But really, what can the harm be? I don't believe in this shit.
Right?
But, what if—? No. Nope. There is no way this palm reader chick is legit. There is no way she is going to say anything about him. So, I should just chill out about it.
I try to put myself at ease when I hear the lady behind the counter tell us that, since we are going in as a group, we get a discount. However, we have to pay now and there are no refunds.
Well, that's promising. I fish out the $25 from my wallet and hand it over anyway.
The clerk leads us back into the hall behind the counter. We pass some fitting rooms and then she knocks at a half-open door where I hear a voice. The clerk smiles and tells us to go on in.
I'm the last to enter the darkened room. I don't know what I was expecting, but the room is bare except for a square card table with two folding chairs placed on opposite sides. There is a lady in a long, flowy skirt who is setting up two folding chairs near the wall. I notice how empty and chilly it is in the room, which convinces me that at least this isn't an elaborate scheme.
"Ladies. Please, please have a seat," she says with a warm smile. She looks a lot younger than I had expected. She's probably only in her late 20s, maybe early 30s. Only a bit older than us.
Ruby takes the seat at the table; Morgan and I take the ones by the wall.
"Hi, I'm so glad you ladies are here today. I woke up with an excellent feeling about today, so I'm very happy to have you girls here. Oh, I'm Marci, by the way." She stays standing near her own chair as she introduces herself. I notice that behind her chair is a small coffee table that holds a salt lamp and iPod docking station. She leans over and turns down the soft instrumental music that I hadn’t even noticed was playing until now.
It's so quiet you can hear almost every shift of clothing as we wait for her to take her seat and get situated. She looks slowly and sweetly at each of us, giving a warm smile to each of us as she makes eye contact. It's a bit awkward but, at the same time, reassuring. She seems like a genuine person … she could also be an excellent actress.
She focuses her attention on Ruby as I feel Morgan’s elbow press into my side. I turn my head slightly because it feels like anything I do will be a disruption. My gaze briefly meets Morgan's. I notice she is pressing her lips into a tight line, and I can tell she is trying not to laugh.
At least I'm not the only one thinking this lady is probably cray-cray.
"You must be Ruby," Marci says.
"Yes, oh, wow, how did you know?" she asks in astonishment.
"I saw you check in, you stated your name."
I can't help it, but I snort a laugh as Marci just warmly smiles at Ruby.
Ruby turns and glares at me.
"Can I have your dominant hand, please?"
Ruby turns back to Marci and thrusts out her right hand. Marci gently takes her hand in both of hers. She stares at it for several long seconds before she speaks. Marci chuckles to herself but doesn't say anything.
I notice Ruby, who is always moving, sits as still as stone.
"Ah, yes. I can tell, you are a feisty one."
Morgan giggles and I can't hold back my smile as Ruby's eyebrow lifts. Marci continues speaking.
"See, the palm of your hand contains several lines which allow me to see several aspects of your life. I can tell from your lifeline that you've had a good life, and you will continue to have one, albeit with a few bumps and stumbles along the way."
Meh, I call bull. This is easy, generic, fortune-teller bullshit. I'm about to scoff when she speaks again.
"I do see a boy. He gives you a run for your money." She starts to laugh again. "You hold on to that one. Don't chase him away," she says, matter-of-factly.
Interesting. Even in the dim lighting, I can make out a blush creeping up Ruby's cheeks. Marci goes on to tell Ruby about more generic predictions that I’m sure most people want to hear. She tells her about an advancement that is coming her way, and that there will come a time when she will question herself.
I mean. Don't we all question ourselves? Ruby is a pretty confident person though.
Still, Marci could just be really good at reading a room.
She leans back and looks at us all again.
"I'm sorry. But, this just makes me so happy. This doesn't often happen, at least not for me. But you girls ... I can feel your souls. And I want to tell you, the three of you … well, you all were sisters in another life."
Oh my God.
Morgan elbows me. Uh, did I say that out loud?
"Really, it's just so special that your souls are together again." She leans back in her chair and sighs dreamily. "I just love being in the presence of souls who find each other over and over again."
OK, it's official. This chick is cuckoo and not for Cocoa Puffs.
"Alright, who's next?" she asks happily.
"Hmm, I guess I'll go next." Morgan stands to switch seats with Ruby.
This round goes much the same as Ruby's did. She tells her that the person she lost is still with her when it counts, which totally baffles me. Didn't she watch Casper? The mom was never a ghost because she didn't have unfinished business. So, how could this woman possibly know that Morgan's mom passed away years ago and is "with her." Lucky guess.
She also tells Morgan that she has made it through a rough year, but the payoff will result in an essential question by someone she very much loves.
Again. We all know it's just a matter of time before Dex asks her to marry him. You can read it all over her face that she is madly in love.
This palm reader crap is for the birds.
Before I know it, I'm in the hot seat. While I'm not a believer, I'm kind of nervous to hear what B.S. she will pull from thin air. But it seems that I have to wait because Marci just stares at me.
Then she smiles.
"After hearing the past thirty minutes, you've sat here, taking this all in and rolling those eyes. Biting back your smirks. You don't believe in this stuff, so why are you here, Gia?" Her tone is challenging.
I wasn't expecting her to call me out, so I clear my throat to buy myself a second.
"No, I have a hard time believing in this stuff when it's so obviously been exposed through the media as a sham," I state confidently. "I'm here because my best friends wanted to come."
She squints her eyes a little and studies me for a beat longer.
"Or, maybe you’ve already chosen not to believe because you are afraid of what I might say."
Gulp. Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?
I steal a glance to my right. I swear, Morgan and Ruby are at the edge of their seats, anticipating what’s going to happen next.
"Umm," is all I can get out. All traces of confidence have been wiped from existence.
"Well, I can see why you'd be scared. There is a shadow looming and, girl, it’s fixin' to storm. You’d better be alright with change, because you won't be able to get rid of it."
"Jeesh, give me the bad news, Doc," I mutter.
She tsks and suddenly lets go of my hand, which I had forgotten she’d had in her grasp.
"The good news is that your soulmate is ready and waiting to help you through this. Just don't be a stubborn mule about it."
What the frack? I didn't realize she was Southern until she gave me this tongue lashing. One I don't think I deserved. But, fine, I get it. I was bringing down the vibe.
"Ladies, it was so very nice to meet you, but your time is up." She stands and turns to the small table behind her and studies a book.
Morgan and Ruby are up and to the door as I push in my chair, still unsure of what just happened.
Before I get even two steps toward the door, I'm yanked to a stop.
Marci has a hold of my arm and there is fire in her eyes. She hisses at me.
“Because I was trying to show you some common decency, I didn't mention in front of your friends the dark, not-so-nice half of you. The part of yourself that you hide so fiercely is about to shake things up. So, you better start preparing for that. He's not going to make it easy on you."
And with that she drops my arm, pushes me the rest of the way out of the room, and shuts the door.
I stand there, flabbergasted at her confession, staring at the now closed door.
How did she know? I have a twin and he's definitely a dark, not-so-nice version of me.
"Hey, Gia. You coming?"
Morgan stands quietly at the end of the hall, a look of concern etched on her face. I shake off the chills I just got as I mutter yes and head down the hall. As I pass, she starts to say something, but I lift a hand.
"No. Let’s not."
I know she was about to ask if I wanted to talk about it. But I can't. Not now at least. I need to wrap my head around the fact that Marci just told me that my twin—that no one is aware of—is about to fuck my life up to the extreme.
Not to mention the fact that I've got the soulmate comment to deal with. Ruby is going to be all over that one.