Page 57 of Choosing Stella

“I am stopping.”

She gathered the cards slowly, but her fingers fumbled once against the edge of the deck.

I put the glass beside her.

“Drink.”

“That one was definitely an order.”

“Yes.”

She took the glass anyway.

After several swallows, she leaned back and closed her eyes.

“Nauseous?”

“A little.”

“Dizzy?”

“Yes.”

“You knew this could happen.”

“I knew it might.”

“You did it anyway.”

Her eyes opened.

“You asked me to.”

I pulled my chair closer but didn’t touch her.

“How long?”

“The worst of it usually passes quickly if I stop.”

“And if you don’t?”

“It gets worse.”

“Then we’re done with cards for today.”

Stella’s mouth flattened.

“You do realize you can’t actually ban me from my own tarot deck.”

“I’m aware.”

“Good.”

“I can tell you when I think something is a terrible idea.”

“That does seem to be one of your hobbies.”

Her voice had weakened, but she hadn’t lost the dry edge.