Chasing Him - Kat T. Masen Page 0,41
ears. She’s dressed in a long velvet maroon gown, and my eyes are drawn immediately to the turquoise ring sitting on her middle finger. The color and stone are hypnotizing, and I find myself struggling to look away.
She sits on the floor and places her bag beside her. We all remain quiet as she encourages one of us to step forward. Kate is sitting in front of her in a flash. The lady closes her eyes and mumbles to herself, circling her hands in front of her.
Oh, hell no.
She’s a clairvoyant.
Where the fuck is Eric’s brain at?
I don’t believe in this mumbo jumbo.
Recalling the first and only time I visited a psychic, she told me that Elijah and I would have three kids, all girls, and that Elijah would get a job in Seattle.
And look how that ended.
I want to stand up and leave the room.
Does she speak to the dead?
Is that what Julian wants?
My pulse starts to race as the anger consumes me. Accidentally, I knock the table with my knee, startling everyone in the room. If she asks me to come forward, I’ll tell her to fuck off. I’m not interested in hearing a money-making nobody tell me what my future entails, especially if it doesn’t include Julian.
Kate eagerly awaits her future to be told, and much like me, Lex is annoyed at Eric for wasting our time.
I lean over to Lex and whisper in his ear. “Good luck, you know what Charlie’s like with all this shit.”
“I know. That’s what I’m worried about,” he says, barely above a whisper.
The lady, whose name is Clarice, begins to speak to Kate. “I see a lot of traveling in your future.”
“Oh,” Kate coos.
“You travel for work,” Lex states the obvious.
Kate is quick to hush him.
“No. These places I see, they are exotic. At first, you’re uncomfortable, but you are drawn to these places.”
Kate’s mouth widens into a smile, accompanied by an over-joyous Eric happy clapping in silence.
Clarice frowns, and Kate’s smile dissipates. “I see a man. He is tall, dark, and is very reserved.”
“American?” Kate asks.
“I see a strong ethnic background. Beware of him. He will abandon you and burden you for a lifetime.”
“What the fuck?” I say out loud.
“Oh, blimey,” Kate notes in dark amusement.
Charlie’s eyes are wide with fear. “Your dark angel.”
“Her what?”
Eric warns me to keep quiet. I mouth ‘sorry’ to him, but he has already focused his attention back on Clarice.
Clarice continues to talk about Kate’s family, mentioning a few things that seem to excite Kate. After another ten minutes, Kate is done, and Charlie stands up to replace her.
“Don’t think you’re getting that shit done,” Lex threatens her.
“Whatever. You’ll be thanking me later.” Charlie face-palms Lex and takes a seat in front of Clarice.
From past knowledge, I know that Charlie’s mother is a believer in all this clairvoyant and mind-reading stuff. Though, in my opinion, I think it did more harm than good. Charlie’s mom would constantly tell her Lex was no good for her. As much as Charlie is strong-willed, it did affect her ability to forgive Lex for abandoning her.
“I see a man who worships you—” Clarice is interrupted by Lex.
“No shit.”
Clarice shoots Lex an annoyed glance. “You’re very passionate about helping others. I see your line of work moving toward that.”
Charlie looks at Eric. They seem to have an understanding, but it’s nothing new, really. I mean it’s easy to generalize, and you can interpret it however you want.
“You have had a troubled past. I see a man who means a lot to you. He helped you in many ways.”
Oh shit. Lex’s palm that was resting on the coffee table clenches into a ball, his knuckles stark white. I don’t want to look at him, but the grinding of his teeth is enough of an indication that he’s angry as hell.
Clarice has to be referring to Julian. Okay, what was that you just told yourself about generalizing?
“This man. He returns, but not to hurt you. You must understand that.”
He was returning—he has returned.
So, it’s a coincidence, right?
Why the fuck am I listening to this shit!
Charlie refuses to look at Lex, focusing entirely on Clarice. The room is dead quiet, Clarice closing her eyes and tight-lipped, followed by a shrill of laughter.
“You’re constantly tired, but for a reason. Your energy is redirected to others. Perhaps children. I see this expanding. It’s unexpected and causes issues within your marriage.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Lex exhales.
“Oh, hell no.” Charlie shakes her head.
Lex is mumbling