Visitations by Jonas Saul Read Free Book Online

the table, palm up. Then she did the same with her left. “I will only be able to accept half my usual fee.”
     
    Ashley looked at Jerry and then back to the psychic. “Why’s that?”
     
    “I’m sorry. I cannot do a reading for the man you have brought here today. Also, his energy is blocking me somewhat.”
     
    The fight to hold his tongue was intense. If Ashley didn’t speak as fast as she did, Jerry would’ve cussed the woman out and left, probably breaking the door on his way.
     
    “Why can’t you? The appointment was set for the both of us.”
     
    “I am a psychic. In order to use my gift to offer a positive reading, I made a commitment that I would never lie to a client.”
     
    “Okay, that’s noble,” Ashley said. “What does that have to do with Jerry? He’s not asking you to lie.”
     
    The psychic lowered her head. “Are you sure you want to hear what I have to say? You won’t like it.”
     
    Ashley looked at Jerry, her face asking him to answer. He only nodded. Using his mouth at that moment would only cause a disturbance and Ashley would blame him for fucking everything up.
     
    Shit, no matter how I look at it, I’m going to be blamed for this.
     
    “Please tell us what the problem is,” Ashley said as she looked back at the psychic.
     
    The woman’s head was still facing down. She mumbled something under her breath.
     
    Jerry had had enough. “What was that?” he snapped.
     
    Ashley’s hand tightened on his thigh.
     
    “I said, sometimes I hate my job.”
     
    Jerry could tell Ashley was getting scared when she spoke again.
     
    “Tell us, please. What’s wrong with Jerry? What’s going to happen to him?”
     
    “That’s the problem. I don’t know.”
     
    “What do you mean you don’t know ?”
     
    “I can’t see a future for him after Saturday night.”
     
    Jerry exploded from the table, bumping it as he stood up. “What the fuck is this? You wanna start talking bitch, and fast.”
     
    “Jerry!” Ashley screamed.
     
    “No, wait, I understand his anger,” the psychic said.
     
    “You better, because no one threatens me. What’s supposed to happen Saturday?”
     
    “All I see is something about a delivery truck. You driving it. Then nothing. I don’t understand it. I’m feeling blocked. Maybe your disbelief is locking me up.”
     
    “Oh sure, blame me after you say I’m going to die.”
     
    Ashley was crying softly now.
     
    Bet you didn’t bargain for this, did you?
     
    “We’re outta here. Let’s go Ashley.”
     
    She remained sitting. “Wait, please. Is there anything else…you can tell us? What about our son, Joshua? Is he here?”
     
    “I’m sorry. I think it’s better if you both leave. The energy in here has darkened and it’s now attracting negative energy.”
     
    “Is there anything Jerry can do?” Ashley wiped her eyes.
     
    Jerry hated to see her cry. He couldn’t be there anymore. He turned on his heels and stormed outside. Even before he hit the door, he had a cigarette in his mouth, and lit.
     

     
    #
     
    “You know as well as I do that you’ll be dead before the night is over. I can’t believe that you’d even consider doing this.”
     
    “Look honey, I’m left with no choice. I don’t believe in psychics. No one can tell you whether you live or die.” He pulled his jacket on and stepped back to lean on the wall. “After I do this job, we’ll be able to pay the rent, and buy groceries again.”
     
    Ashley stared at him and wondered if this would be the final straw. Would this push her to leave, after all they’d been through? She’d stayed with him during his stint in jail. She’d stayed when the collapse of their marriage looked imminent after the death of their only child. She’d stay with him through anything, except when he knowingly wants to test fate at the cost of his life.
     
    “I can’t sit idly by and watch you kill yourself.”
     
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” He raised