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Josie gives him a look she probably thinks is mystical and then shrugs. “Some people choose not to see beyond the obvious, even if life tries to open their eyes.”
“You really want her to do this for your paying customers?” I plead, fixing my stare on him. I don’t know why I care about getting him to pull the plug on her when it’s obvious a bookmobile event would be a bust today, but I do. “People don’t want to be messed with or told they’re going to die alone. They want to be reassured everything is going to be okay.”
Josie gives me a steady look. “Some people like hearing the truth. But you’re not one of them, are you, Ruthie? That’s why you wouldn’t let me do a reading for you at Thanksgiving.”
“Maybe I just didn’t want you to spout your B.S. at me in front of my daughter,” I snap, irrationally angry. Because she’s right, of course. I told myself there was no point in getting a reading because she was full of it. But part of me worried she’d tell me something I really don’t want to hear.
That none of my schemes are ever going to work out.
That I’ll live a small life, barely noticed by anyone except for my brother and my daughter.
That I’ll die alone, and not just in the cosmic sense that we all die alone.
That I’ll never fall in love with a man who loves me back.
“Your daughter’s not here,” Josie says with a smile. “So I guess I can tell you that your—”
“Can I meet Flower?” I ask Dustin, turning my back on Josie.
Maybe I’m a coward, but I don’t want to see the knowing expression in her eyes.
“Surely can,” Dustin says, brightening.
I take a deep breath, because I know I have to look back. While I don’t care about being rude to Josie, who is rude to everyone, I do want Jack to think well of me. He said he’d have me back in the spring—if Vanny’s working—and I’m clutching onto that not-really-a-promise with both hands. After letting the breath out, I turn to him and say, “Goodbye, Jack. Thanks for…”
I trail off, because I’m honestly not sure what I should be thankful for. Certainly nothing that’s happened today.
He nods. “I’ll be in touch.”
Then, because I can’t help myself, I glance at Josie. I guess I’m half expecting her to say, “He won’t,” which would be embarrassing for everyone other than her.
Instead, she gives me a knowing smile and says, “I wouldn’t mind an invite to the wedding. Let Shane know, huh?”
There are a dozen things I could say in response to that, such as What wedding? And, If you’re talking about Shane’s theoretical wedding, you should know that I’m one of the last people he’d invite. He may have come to my wedding, but that’s only because my brother chose to misunderstand that his plus one was supposed to be for a date.
But an uncomfortable tingle goes down my spine, because Shane did send me those cryptic text messages.
Is there a chance he’s actually getting married?
I mean, it’s not as if it matters to me. Shane could get married to a whole harem of women for all I care. I mean, it would be weird, obviously, and he’d probably have to move to another country to make his multiple marriages legal, but at least it would take him away from here. It’s just…
It would be weird, is all. Shane’s always made such a big deal about how the institution of marriage is just a trap and blah, blah, blah.
You’re letting her mess with you.
The voice in my head is correct, so I nod a final time and turn back to Dustin. We get a few steps away before he shakes his head and says, “Don’t you worry, Ruthie. I’ve met Josie a time or two, and she’s a woman who likes causing a fuss.”
“How many adoption applications have you gotten for Flower?” I ask, still feeling that uncomfortable pressure in my chest.
He scrunches his mouth to the side, his gaze on the Dog is Love van, parked on the other side of the lot from the tow truck. God bless Tank. He’s been waiting in there for at least ten minutes.
“None,” Dustin finally says. At my gasp, he adds, “Some dogs don’t have much pep when they’re in the shelter. She’s cute as a bug, but she’s been with us a year.”
“A year?” I ask in horror. “Tell me the truth, Dustin, do you have any hedgehogs at the shelter?”
This time his laugh is more self-assured. “No, we do not. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a hedgehog other than on Instagram.”
That’s a relief, at least, but I can’t shake my uneasiness.
