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Well, that’s not true. She lost me at straw dolls in the tree, but this part really loses me. Who in their right mind would believe this stuff? She’s lived in town forever, so she knows people, and it’s not that hard to guess what people are going to do here. We’re all creatures of habit.
Will the rancher down the road from me marry the dairy farmer’s widow? Why yes. Yes, he will. They’ve lived two miles from each other for three decades and everyone in town has seen the way they look at each other.No psychic powers needed.
Tess sits before Mrs. Beaux, landing her hands on top of hers as though she knows exactly what to do.
“You’re not good, are you, dear?” Mrs. Beaux’s eyes are closed, but she’s talking straight to Tess.
“What?No. I’m good. Why wouldn’t I be good?” There’s a shift in Tess’ tone that takes me back to the fifth grade when Tess lied to the teacher about needing to use the bathroom. Instead, she met up with a few kids outside for a secret playground session. I think that was the one and only time Tess ever told a lie… until now.
Why would she be lying now?
“Your relationship,” Mrs. Beaux continues, “I’m seeing darkness.”
“What about good stuff?” Tess interjects. “What can you see that’s good?”
The psychics gaze draws up toward me. “I see a man. He’s tall, broad shouldered, and covered in tattoos.” Okay, well, that describes like every man up here. So… zero credit for this one, and why is her head pointed toward me?
“This man… he wears a baseball hat, tight jeans, work boots. He’s,” she pauses, “he’s your soulmate.”
“My soulmate?”Tess opens her eyes.
“No. Your friend’s. Sorry. I told you the spirits get confused when two people are in the room.” Mrs. Beaux’s eyes open and she’s staring those icy blues straight toward me. “He’s your father’s best friend. He’s—”
“Okay… show’s over. I’ll be in the lobby if you need me, Tess.”
“You like him,” Mrs. Beaux continues. “You work together.”
“We run the carriage rides up at the lodge.Why am I telling you this?He’snotmy soulmate. He’s a grumpy asshole who can’t stand the sight of me. So… you’re wrong. Now, please tell my friend that she’s not shrouded in darkness, so we can go.”
“It’s a hard road, but he is your soulmate, dear. You can deny it, but that doesn’t change what’s true.”
“Okay.” I turn away. “Thank you. Now, back to Tess, please.”
Mrs. Beaux shakes her head as though she’s refocusing her energy. “Tess, dear, you’re stuck. You need help getting out.”
“Okay, we’re going.” I reach for Tess’ hand and pull her up from the chair. I expect her to come willingly, but she pulls against me.
“No. She’s not wrong. I want to know more.”
“More what? What’s going on Tess? You’re happy. What darkness is surrounding you?”
Tears stream down Tess’ face. “I’m not happy, Dee. I haven’t been in a while. Rob yells all the time. I can’t talk to him.”
It’s an effort keeping my jaw in place, but I manage. “What? I thought things were going well. You guys were talking weddings and kids and everything.”
“We were. We are. I don’t know. Since we moved in together, he’s changed completely. I want to work things out, but I don’t know how anymore.”
“He shouldn’t be yelling at you, Tess. For once, you don’t have to be nice.”
She wipes away tears. “It’s not his fault, though. I get talking about feelings and I can go on and on. I’m too much.”
“No. You’re not too much, dear.” Finally, Mrs. Beaux makes sense. “He’s not right for you. I do see someone who is, though.”
I laugh. “You going to tell her it’s her stepbrother, cause I’m not sure I can stomach that.”
My comment is ignored.
Tess looks toward Mrs. Beaux. “Thank you. I needed to talk about what was going on. I didn’t realize how much.”
