- I'm in a relationship with Easton Carson. I don't know if you know him... Can you tell me if we'll always be together?
- In the map of the future, that rose still appears, so I think you'll still be together, and I also see a lot of... animals? Is that possible?
- Yes, I want to open a shelter for stray animals and help the animal protection associations in my city, Alice explained to her, moved. This is my dream.
- A dream that will certainly come true and with beautiful results as far as I can see.”
Alice had to restrain herself from jumping for joy.
“ - Your turn, Kira.”
Hesitantly, my friend picked up three cards.
“ It's amazing how the delicate flutter of a little butterfly's wings can unleash a full-blown hurricane. If I saw a tornado with a fragile and sensitive heart in Alice, here we clearly perceive the strength that hides in the pure soul of this young woman. A purity that is not even tainted by the dark shadow that embraces you with love and possession.
- You mean her boyfriend? I tried to understand.
- Yes, a broken and dark soul, but one that Kira has managed to illuminate and repair, my grandmother explained.
- He's not broken, Kira said vehemently.
- He is and you know it too. It's just that you can't admit it, because then you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt you feel for having caused him to be the way he is. When you left him alone with his demons.
- I... she tried to justify herself, but she burst into tears.
- Grandma! I scolded her, angry at the tears she caused.
- I said she feels guilty, not that she is guilty, my grandmother explained. Kira, it's not your fault.
- It is. I left when he needed me most...
- It is not you who extinguished his light, it is you who illuminate his heart every day with your love. An eternal love, studded with many children... Really many... Too many... Maybe not all yours, my grandmother tried to understand, confused.
- I want children, but I also want to become a social worker and take care of children who are orphaned or victims of abuse and violence. Lucas also wants to work with young people who have a difficult childhood.
- A noble cause, which will bring immense joy to your family.
- Really? asked Kira with a hopeful smile.
- There are ups and downs in your future. Life is not a slide, but rather a roller coaster. You will experience some beautiful moments and some difficult and painful ones. But you know what will keep you alive and happy? Love. I'm not just talking about the man you love, but also about your friendship, all the things you will do with passion and the heart you will offer to those you will help and save during your long life.
- Thank you, Kira sighed serenely as she shook my grandmother's hand.
- Now it's Felicity's turn, Alice said excitedly.
I took three cards myself.
“ The change! I knew it!" my grandmother enthused as she stroked the first card I had drawn. Get ready, my dear, because the life you've lived until now will end very soon. You have asked fate for what you think you are not going to get. Well, this time you will be satisfied, but not by your rules.
- What do you mean by that?
- For years you have asked to be beautiful, to have a boyfriend, to have friends, to graduate... You have often been granted, but you have been self-sabotaging because you did not believe enough in your abilities. You had few but good opportunities to change, but you always turned away. Well, this time it's not going to happen, because what you want is going to come at you so hard that you won't be able to run away.
- Should I be afraid? I asked, trying to hide the rising anxiety that was twisting my stomach.
- I don't think you will die in the accident.
- What accident? Kira, Alice and I shouted in unison.
- It doesn't say it.
- Grandma, you can't scare me by telling me about an accident and then not say anything else.
- You're the one who wanted to change!
- Yes, change, not kill someone or break my neck somewhere! I exploded, already seeing myself behind bars or in a wheelchair all my life.
- I don't think anything like that will happen, but...
- But?
- Someone is going to get hurt, that's for sure. It's obvious, my grandmother explained with a shrug. I hated how tactless she was in some situations.
- Please, ma'am, the cards must say something else!
- Oh yes, they do! Felicity, keep studying like that and you'll graduate without any problems! You'll have an internship too, where you can show your talent.
- But what does it matter about my degree and my internship now? I got angry.
- It matters to me. Since I'm paying for your education! Of all the damn brains here, you're the only one who can fulfill my dream of having a granddaughter graduate. I've invested a lot in you and will continue to do so, if you promise me that you will work hard.
- If I don't die first at least.
- You won't. The cards say you'll have two cats later.
- Perfect... Old maid and cat lady!
- It's a prejudice without foundation.
- Is there any way to avoid this accident? Kira tried, determined not to give up.
- Of course there is!
- And which one? exclaimed my two friends in chorus, full of hope.
- Don't cross the street until you've checked it's clear, don't take candy from strangers, don't walk on rooftops...
- Yes, but apart from that? Alice became impatient with all these obvious facts.
- Start living and savoring every moment.”
3
FELICITY
“ - Please stop checking that horoscope every three seconds! said an exasperated Alice as she put on her shoes and jacket.
- Just one more minute, I replied irritably, going to read the second horoscope.
- Have you seen what time it is at least?
I looked up.
- Shit! I screamed as I realized I only had twenty minutes left before my economics class. And I was still in my pajamas!
- You're wasting your life with these shitty horoscopes,” Alice continued as she picked up her books and left the room.
I huffed nervously.
It had been two weeks since my grandmother told me I would have an accident.
From that day on, I relied on horoscopes and read at least five a day to be safe, before running to class.
But that morning, I had gotten up late and read about a Saturn-Mars squaring that alerted me and made me waste time.
I hurriedly got dressed without taking a shower.
I grabbed my laptop and headed outside.
The college was a fifteen-minute walk away, so I walked quickly, but without taking my eyes off my phone screen, to finish reading the horoscopes.
I was almost there when I read the last one: “Due to Saturn squaring, watch out for accidents”.