A Season of Miracles by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

for the obvious,” Joe whispered.
    â€œHow so?” Connie demanded in a soft hiss.
    â€œThe kid is obviously a student.”
    â€œMaybe, but there are colleges in Manhattan, too, you know.”
    â€œShe made a good guess.”
    The young man had sat down in front of Madame Zena. He grinned. “Am I going to get lucky tonight?”
    â€œLucky?” Madame Zena queried. “Are you going to survive the drunks driving around the city tonight? Yes, you’re very lucky. Will you be smart enough to avoid the big pothole on Willoughby Avenue and avoid a broken ankle. Yes, again, if you pay attention. That will be lucky. Are you having sex? Not a chance. Janice is going to be there, and she’s going to throw you a pillow on the floor.”
    Those standing around Madame Zena’s table all laughed. Madame Zena smiled, tolerant of the laughter. Jillian decided that the woman was very good at what she did, that she wasn’t psychic, she just used some good solid sense on her clients.
    There were a few more people before them in line. Jillian watched, enjoying what she heard, along with the Guinness. Tip refilled their beers while they waited in line and the band kept playing.
    Finally their turn came. Tip led Connie forward. Madame Zena studied her briefly, her amber eyes intent. She looked up to the line and motioned to Joe. “Come sit with your wife,” she said.
    â€œYou told her,” Joe accused Tip.
    â€œI did not,” Tip protested.
    Madame Zena noticed Jillian. Her lashes flickered, as if something disturbed her.
    â€œWell?” Joe murmured.
    â€œShuffle the cards,” Madame Zena said. “Let your wife go first. I’m using the three-card spread. They reveal past, present and future. There is a meaning to all cards, and a reverse meaning, as well.”
    She laid out three cards, side by side. For a moment she studied them, then studied Connie. “Temperance. You are a good human being. You’ve made those around you happy, and you have chosen your friends wisely.”
    â€œThat’s me,” Connie said happily.
    Her husband sniffed.
    â€œJoe!”
    He caught her hand and kissed it. “You’re the best human being.”
    Madame Zena looked at the cards, then past Joe and Connie to Jillian.
    â€œMadame Zena?” Joe queried, tapping the table.
    Madame Zena pointed to the second card. “The Nine of Swords. There is discord in your life.”
    â€œBut there isn’t!” Connie protested.
    â€œMaybe it’s in the future,” Joe suggested gravely.
    Madame Zena shook her head. “The future is here…The World. It symbolizes…completion, rewards.”
    â€œSo everything comes out okay?” Connie said hopefully.
    Madame Zena looked at her. “You must make things come out okay, because the reverse meaning here suggests that success is yet to be won, that you may be lacking in vision. You must take care to see, to see everything, beyond the physical eye, do you understand?”
    â€œYes,” Connie said. But the tone of her voice said “no.”
    â€œSo the cards don’t like me?” she asked in distress.
    â€œThe cards are to be used for good. They warn you. Nothing in life is free, nothing comes without a price. Except for the occasional miracle. The cards warn you that you must be firm, steadfast, loyal. You must always control your own future.”
    Madame Zena wasn’t going to say more.
    â€œOkay, me now,” Joe said.
    Madame Zena looked over his head at Jillian once again. She looked troubled. “Shuffle the cards,” she told Joe.
    He did, and the reader laid them out. Three cards. Past. Present. Future.
    The exact same lineup as his wife.
    â€œHey, that’s not possible,” Joe protested.
    â€œShuffle them again.”
    He did. They fell the same way. Madame Zena shrugged. “You know what they mean.”
    â€œThey mean you do card tricks as well