“That sounds amazing. Getting paid to travel the world.” I wish I’d gotten to see more of the world. Currently I’m limited to Montana and Maine and my finances don’t allow for travel.
“In theory. In real life it was pretty lonely. I got to experience all those amazing views and places either by myself or with a coworker I half knew for all of sixty seconds before hopping on a plane together.” He shoves the last piece of his brownie into his mouth.
“I can see how it’d get lonely. But staying put is pretty lonely too. You have to stay behind and watch everyone else’s lives being lived. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got Lily so I don’t regret anything, but I wish I would have finished college.” In the distance I can hear a little voice yellingMommy.“I guess that’s my cue to get back. Thanks for sharing your spot with me.”
“Anytime. It was nice to get out of the noise with someone else who appreciates the quiet spaces.” He rests his hand on my lower back as he guides me back through the dark woods.
The heat of his hand seemingly sears through my jacket, even though the idea is completely ridiculous, I swear I feel it.
He feels familiar in a way I can’t put my finger on. Like this is a path we’ve walked together once before.
Meeting Aubrey felt like something clicked in my world. I was immediately drawn to her as soon as our eyes connected. It feels like I knew her in a previous life and I’ve been searching for her since.
That’s insane, right? That’s not actually a thing? I know I’ve heard a lot of people talk about it, their souls knowing another in a different lifetime. But, I’ve never experienced it. And a conversation with a psychic in Savannah comes screaming back to me.
I was on assignment near Halloween. Doing a haunted tour with a group that ended on River Street. Choosing to walk around, I passed a psychic who stopped me in my tracks.
“You’re lost,” shesaid to me from the doorway of her shop.
“No I’m fine, thank you though.”
“I don’t mean physically, my boy. Spiritually. Your soul, it’s unfulfilled, unhappy.”
She stopped me from walking by, her words mirroring my thoughts. How did she know everything I’d been contemplating lately?
“Your soul is searching. Not only for the one it belongs with, but for its home. You’ve been all over this world and not one place has ever felt like home to you. Come, come in and sit.” She gestured for me to come in and sit at the table behind the stereotypical door made of beads.
I don’t know why I followed her, but I did.
“You won’t be happy until you find the one your soul considers home. Home for you is a person, not a place. No matter how much searching you do, you won’t find it.”
”I might.” I counter her, challenging her to be wrong, God, I hoped she was wrong.
“You won’t. Your missing half isn’t near. But don’t fret, your time is coming. You need to go through something first, something that will make you question everything you’re doing now. Both of you.” She pulls out a deck of tarot cards.
“Thank you, but I’m all set.” I stand to leave. I’d seen that trick too many times. They hook you, pull you into their tricks and then you owe them money. Even if everything she’s saying is spot on.
“If you insist. I can feel that you’re closed off. But I’m here when you’re open.” She winked at me and let me leave.
I’ll never forget the uneasy feeling that washed over my body that night. Her words lived in my head because after that, I did in fact go through hell.
“Sooooo, Aubrey is pretty.” My sister, Emma, bumps into my arm with her shoulder as we walk the path through the woods back to our family inn.
“Yeah, she is. But don’t you go getting any ideas in your head.”
Secretly, I want Emma and the girls to get ideas. I’m too shy to make the first move, but I’ll be damned if that pull to her isn’t strong. Something about her screamshome, leaving the psychic’s words to continue echoing in my mind.
“I’m offended that you think that I’m already plotting how to set you two up.” She places her hand on her chest.
“Ha! I know you. I bet the four of you already talked about it and got Aggie to join your cause.”
“Whatever. Is it a crime to want my brother to be happy? It was nice to see you smile so much tonight. It’s been awhile since it’s seemed genuine. We were starting to worry if I’m being honest.” She holds out her hand. “Give me your phone?”
“What for?” I raise my brow, not trusting a damn thing she’s doing.
“Just give me your damn phone.” She thrusts her hand closer to me.
”Fine.” Reaching into my pocket I pull out my phone and place it in her hand.
