Chapter Three #2
“We’re celebrating his birthday,” Elliott comments, gesturing his thumb over to Victor.
The woman smiles and clasps her hands together while still holding the cards. “Well, happy birthday, chéri. How many times around the sun have you been?”
“I turned 32 yesterday,” Victor responds shyly.
“Well, I hope the locals are making your birthday memorable.” She sets the deck of cards down and holds out her hands. “I am Madame Jeanette, and this is my home. I’ve been living here for over 50 years. But you can’t tell, can you, huh?” She gives a little wink.
“I love your accent,” Lupe says.
Madame Jeanette smirks as she picks up her pipe to take a puff.
“Well, chérie, I enjoy my accent too.” She reaches over to grab Lupe’s hand closest to her.
She turns Lupe’s hand over and examines the palm while puffing on her pipe.
“I see great things for you, chérie. Lots of love is in your life. Maybe marriage?” Madame Jeanette smiles with her pipe as she looks at Amber.
Lupe perks up and gets a little bashful, “I just proposed to Amber a couple of months ago.” Lupe looks over at Amber. The two giggle and lean against each other’s shoulders.
Madame Jeanette smiles at Lupe and Amber, “Congratulations, you two.” She then turns her gaze over to Frank and Elliott sitting next to her. She takes Frank’s hand and studies his palm. “A strong soul, very loving, and cherishes family. But a bit stubborn.”
Elliott giggles, “She read you.” Frank jabs Elliott with his elbow.
Madame Jeanette sits back in her seat and starts shuffling her cards. “Who would like to go first? Ladies maybe? Or what about one of you handsome gentlemen?”
“I’ll go,” Frank answers. “Why not see what my future holds?”
Victor rolls his eyes as Madame Jeanette starts placing a few cards in front of her. “Well, looks like someone is biting off more than he can chew.” She points at a reversed “Lovers” card and the “Six of Pentacles”. “You like the enjoyment of spending money on others, but don’t want a commitment.”
Victor snickers, “He doesn’t spend money on anyone but himself.”
Frank bites back, “Hey, I’ve been spending money on you.”
“Yeah, only because it’s my birthday. But when it comes to dinner with that guy you’ve been seeing, you ask to split the check,” Victor argues.
“Which guy are you talking about?” Frank asks, crossing his arms. “I’ve had many.”
Madame Jeanette takes the cards back and then shuffles again.
She looks over at Victor and flips over three cards: “The Devil”, “Death”, and “Judgement”.
Three powerful Major Arcana cards of the tarot.
Victor looks at the three on the table. “The “Devil” card is upside down, and the other two are upright.
Madame Jeanette turns over one more card.
The “Wheel of Fortune.” Upright. Victor remains silent.
“Is everything okay, chéri?” Madame Jeanette asks, letting out a puff of smoke.
Victor finally looks up into Madame Jeanette’s eyes. “Yes, everything is fine.” All the while, he thinks, What in the flying fuckery is this? Her cards didn’t read properly to Frank, but my relationship is spread across the table in front of everyone.
“Are you sure?” Madame Jeanette knowingly looks deeper into Victor’s eyes. She knows her cards sparked something inside him but needs him to admit it. “Well, if that is all, my fee is twenty. But for you, my handsome birthday man, I’ll give you a discount of ten.”
Victor looks deeper into her eyes as she holds out her hand, waiting for payment.
Victor shakes his thoughts out of his head, “Sure, here.” He places the money into her hand.
She winks with a sly smirk on her lips. “I guess I’m good, thank .
. . thank you, Madame Jeanette.” Victor doesn’t quite know how to react.
He knew how to interpret the cards, but for them to be so specific about his breakup?
As soon as he stands up, Madame Jeanette draws two more cards, the “Six of Swords” and “Eight of Swords.” Victor takes a long moment to look at the cards before he turns and walks out without a word.
Confused by his reaction, his friends thank Madame Jeanette for her time.
Lucas and Jon take a moment to look at Madame Jeanette.
They remain silent as if they know what the other is saying.
Lucas and Jon look at each other before taking their leave.
As they leave, Madame Jeanette leans back into her seat and takes a long drag from her pipe. “They’re gone.”
The mystery man walks out of the shadows. “So, what do you make of him?”
“I’m interested. I can see he knows a thing or two about the cards. That could help him find what is hiding inside.”
The man sits next to Madame Jeanette and hands her a neat glass of bourbon. “He seems to be . . . broken. Maybe lost.”
Madame Jeanette takes a puff from her pipe. “He just suffered a breakup. I’m not sure he’ll be ready at the moment. But I have a feeling that he’ll return to me.”
“Will he be alone?” the man asks.
Madame Jeanette takes a long puff from her pipe. She exhales and investigates the cloud of tobacco smoke. “I may be seeing him much sooner than we think.”
The man sits back in his chair, swirling the liquid in his glass. “Should we tell the others?”
“Not right now, chéri.” She takes a small drag from her pipe. “Let us wait until he returns.”