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They all give me a warm smile and say hello.
“Well, let’s all tuck in before it gets cold,” Grace says, and we all start loading up our plates and eating.
I turn my attention back to the tree in the middle of the table again, tilting my head in fascination. “It’s an aventurine tree,” Grace says, noticing my curiosity. “It enhances creativity, gives you courage and a sense of peace.”
“Mom is a psycho,” Nix pipes up from beside me, and everyone snickers.
“It’s psychic, you idiot,” Alex corrects him.
“It’s the same thing,” Nix argues back.
Alex snorts. “Yeah, I suppose it is.”
Everyone laughs, and Grace pins them all with a scathing look. “Enough of that, you lot.”
“You’re a psycho?” I ask her with a frown.
Quickly realizing my mistake, I blurt out, “Shit! Sorry, I meant psychic.” My eyes widen, and I let out a gasp, realizing I just swore. “Fuck! I’m sorry.”
Slapping my hand over my mouth to shut myself up, I look around the table to everyone staring at me with their eyes bugging out of their heads.
Oh my god!
Embarrassment floods my body at the string of profanity I just barked out at this family’s dinner table. After a beat of silence, the whole table erupts with laughter, and I hide my face in my hands, mortified at my word vomit.
“Now that is some funny shit!” Alex bellows with laughter.
“Alex! Watch your mouth,” Grace reprimands him.
“No fair!” he protests. “Ava just swore.”
“Ava is our guest. If she wants to swear, she can,” she tells him.
“I am so sorry,” I say, slowly removing my hands from my face. “I honestly don’t usually swear like that.”
“It’s quite alright, Ava,” Grace reassures me. “And the answer to your question is yes. I come from a long line of psychics dating back many generations.”
“Apparently, our great-great-great-auntwhat's her namewas a fortune-teller,” Ali adds flippantly, dishing some vegetables in her mouth.
“Her name was Elizabeth, and she was a very talented palm reader,” Grace corrects her then turns her attention back to me. “I own a shop in downtown Tacoma calledTree of Life. That’s where the aventurine tree is from. You should visit me sometime. I can read your palm if you like.”
“I would love to,” I reply, relieved that I have actually managed to speak without swearing this time.
“So Mason tells me that you are a cheerleader, Ava?” Grace changes the subject, scooping some mashed potato into her mouth
“I was. When football season ended, I dropped off the team to focus more on my studies.”
“Ali is hoping to get a spot on the team next year.” Grace points her fork at her.
“Really?” I look at Ali.
She shrugs. “I would love to, but I don’t like my chances. I can’t even do a cartwheel.”
“Well, if you ever need any pointers, I could definitely show you,” I suggest, taking a bite of my food, and her eyes widen.
“Really?” she exclaims. “Are you serious?”
“Sure.”
