“Palmistry”

“I don’t usually believe in this stuff,” Julie said as the palm reader examined her hand. She felt the need to explain to everyone she came in contact as of late that she was, at her core, a rational person. So rational she bordered on nihilistic. All of this dabbling in faith and spirits and new age mumbo-jumbo was not typically her bag. But, simply put, she was out of luck and out of options.

“I see a long, healthy life,” the palm reader responded.

“Oh uh, thank you, that’s nice but that’s not really why I’m here…” Julie’s voice trailed off as the palm reader looked her right in the eyes, her piercing blue eyes staring through her beyond her.

“I know it probably doesn’t make sense to ask a palmist about this, but I’m actually trying to get my friend. back. You see, I’ve gone to a psychic, I’ve learned and practiced tarot, bought crystals but… nothing.” Julie continued.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t see how I could be helpful here?” The palm reader replied.

“No, I understand I just know that my friend got really into this stuff—I mean, your practice, before I… lost her. I figured maybe if I show you a picture you might have seen her?”

The palm reader agreed as Julie thumbed through the photos on her phone to show her a picture of the two of them. She studied it carefully before frowning and shaking her head.

"I’m sorry, dear. I’ve never seen her before. But I know how difficult it can be to lose a friend and I’m sure that, wherever she is, she can sense that you’re looking for her.”

Julie sullenly placed her phone back in her purse and got up to leave.

“Hey, listen, you paid for the session, wouldn’t you like me to continue?” The palm reader inquired.

“No, that’s ok, I’ve learned all I need to.” Julie said as she turned and left.

Once she was out of the shop the palm reader picked up her cell phone and dialed quickly.

“Hi Kerry, yeah she was just here. No, she has no clue. Yeah, you got it.”

“She’s still looking for me, isn’t she?” Mabel asked Kerry after she heard her hang up the phone.

“Yes, as to be expected. These people, you see, they act like they care. But when you truly needed her, where was she, really? When she was rolling her eyes at you and getting irritated about your feelings, did she care then?” Kerry responded, annoyed.

“No, you’re absolutely right,” Mabel replied. “But if she does find me? Do you think she’ll join us?”

“No,” Kerry responded. “She’s not smart enough. She thinks she is but she’s not. She’ll never join us because she doesn’t understand our mission. She thinks she’s above what it is we do. Now, are you ready for what comes next?”

Mabel nodded her head. She had spent the last few months following these women, and it was all finally about to pay off. They were all going to reconvene in the woods where they had met, and they were going to finally ascend to the next plane. They were going to make sure that none of them would ever be alone again.