Bouquet Toss (6 page)

“Well, you’ve been so torn up about what is going on with Mayson.  Seriously, this has been going on for years, Daphne.  Wouldn’t it be good to get a clue as to who you will actually end up with?”

“Yes, Morgan, but that’s assuming this psychic knows anything.  She could be pulling things out of her ass for all we know.”

“Since when did you become such a cynic?  You were always the one who read your horoscope and trusted in Astrology.  Hell, you even bought tarot cards in college.  I remember you giving ‘readings’ at your parents’ house. You used to use your U of I blanket every time!  Now, all of a sudden you don’t believe in this stuff?”

“Oh my goodness, I completely forgot about the tarot cards.” I laugh, “But, that was just for fun.  This is different.  You believe this woman is actually going to help me figure out my love life.”

“Listen, it’s my treat.  I have some questions I want to ask anyway about Matt and about my job.  I’m not sure I should be staying there much longer.  If you feel inclined, we can ask about you. And, if not, you’ll be my wing woman.”

“Fine, fine,” I agree half-heartedly.  “I’ll go. But, only because you are always there for me.”

We arrive at the psychic’s home and I’m pleasantly surprised to see that she resides in an incredibly classy (and expensive looking) Victorian estate in upscale
Naperville
. 

“Well, this is quite different from the shacks we’ve seen along the highway with the signs for Palm Reading.” I say, slightly impressed.

“Yeah, maybe she wins the lottery every year to support herself,” Morgan giggles as she parks the car in the large driveway.  “She doesn’t go by a cheesy name like Madame Ruby, either. Her name is Kim, just Kim.  Please, be on your best behavior, okay?”

“Of course, I’ll behave myself.  Now that I’ve seen where she lives, I’m feeling a lot better about this.  Let’s go in.  I may even ask about Mayson.”

Kim is a lovely woman in her late forties.  She has gorgeous black hair, pinned up into a bun on the top of her head, her bangs sweeping across the olive skin of her forehead.  She is stunning. 

“Welcome, ladies,” Kim greets us as we enter her large foyer.  “And which one of you lovely young women is Morgan?”

“That’s me,” Morgan extends her hand to shake with Kim.  Kim shakes Morgan’s hand briefly with one hand, covering it with the other.  She holds Morgan’s hand for a moment, just long enough for Morgan to look to me, shrug her shoulders and grin.  Kim releases Morgan’s hands and looks to me.

“So you must be Daphne.  I had a feeling when you walked through the door that you would be the one with man trouble.”  Hmmm, a psychic who ‘sensed’ something after the answer was already given to her?  Wow, how impressive.  Before I can even finish my sarcastic thought, Kim gives me a knowing smile,

“Darling, it has nothing to do with my abilities and everything to do with your pained expression.  Miss Morgan here looks like she is content, at peace.  You on the other hand look uncomfortable and anxious. Come, ladies, let’s go to my sitting room and get better acquainted.”

Blushing with embarrassment, I follow Morgan and Kim into the sitting room.  Morgan takes my hand and whispers, “Just have a little faith, Daphne.  You may even get some much needed answers tonight.”  I nod in submission.

Kim gestures for us to sit in two lovely armchairs, each draped with silken blankets.  She sits on a small chaise lounge and again responds to my body language.  Clearly I wear my heart on my sleeve.  It is difficult for me to disguise my surprise at the atmosphere.

“Were you expecting a crystal ball?”  Kim smiles warmly.

“Well, I don’t know...maybe?” I respond, again discomfited by the psychic before me who is incredibly astute at reading other’s emotions.  Or maybe she’s just seen it all.

“So, Morgan mentioned that you have some questions about a relationship you have started.  Rest assured, I asked Morgan not to tell me any more than that.  It can, many times, cloud my abilities if I know too much about a situation.  It’s always better for me to simply use my senses.”

“Yes, well, maybe you could start with Morgan.  I’m not really sure if I want to know anything or not.”  Morgan rolls her eyes at me.  Apparently, she was hoping I would just go with the flow.  She should know me better than that.

“Well, that is fine with me.  So, let’s see, Morgan.  I can tell from your contented nature that you are currently in a healthy relationship.  This is actually your first healthy dating relationship in quite some time.  You have had a bit of a rough road with men.  One in particular, I see was incredibly tall with several freckles on his nose—“

Morgan gasps and clutches her hand to her mouth.  Kim is referring to Morgan’s ex-boyfriend Brett.  They dated in college and he treated her terribly; insulting her intelligence constantly especially in front of those she cared about. Morgan broke up with him about eight months into their relationship when she discovered he had cheated with three different members of her sorority.  She was devastated and subsequently unable to trust the opposite sex for quite some time. 

Kim’s description was eerie.  Brett was obscenely tall, about 6’5, towering over Morgan at only 5’2.  He had a large cluster of freckles situated on his nose only, no freckles anywhere else on his body.  Even though I haven’t showed my surprise as obviously as Morgan, I am blown away.  Perhaps I would let Kim talk to me after all.

“Shall I continue?”  Kim asks, not at all alarmed by Morgan’s response, but testing the comfort level in the room regardless.

“Yes, please,” Morgan replies, inching closer to the chaise lounge.

“Alright then,” Kim continues, “The man you are with is an incredibly motivated and driven person.  He also cares for you immensely and dreams of a future with you.  There will be a time when you doubt his motives, but rest assured he has your best interest at heart.  He’s good for you and his love is unwavering.”

Morgan’s eyes are wet as she smiles at Kim.  This is what she was hoping to hear.  She and Matt have been happy for a long time, but with her track record, I know she’s afraid of what the future may bring and no amount of reassurance from me or others close to her will change that.  Perhaps the predictions this evening will finally be what she needs in order to look towards a future with Matt.

“That’s wonderful, Kim.  Can you tell me anything about my career?”

“Hmm,” Kim begins, “I don’t see you continuing with your current company for longer than a few years.  After all, you’ll be pretty busy with other things.”

“What kind of other things?” Morgan asks, confused.

“Are you sure you would like to know the specifics?”

“Yes,” Morgan responds with confidence.

“I see you with your hands full, at home.  I see you with babies.”

“Did you say babies, as in more than one?” Morgan looks panicked.

“That is what I see.  But, don’t worry.  You have several years yet before worrying about that.”  Kim flashes a knowing smile at Morgan.

  “Just continue to live your life.  Use your current work situation for what it is: excellent experience that you will come back to when the time is right.  But, no, I do not see you there for longer than five years.”

“Wow,” Morgan looks bewildered, overwhelmed and a bit stunned.  Kim smiles and looks to me.

“So, Daphne, have you decided whether or not you would like to talk with me?”

“Yes, I would like to know whatever you can tell me.”

“Alright,” Kim says.  “You are a bit harder to read than Morgan.  Do you have a timepiece or any other personal item that I may hold in my hand?  This helps me to connect a bit with you.  It doesn’t always work, but it has helped me previously in cases such as this.”

Quickly, I remove my watch and hand it to Kim.  She smiles and holds it in the palm of her hand, closing her eyes briefly before looking at me with a smile.

“Puddin’?” She asks with a raised eyebrow.  This time it is my turn to gasp.

“
What did you say
?” My eyes are wide, my mouth agape as I stare at Kim.  Morgan giggles nervously.

“The man in you
r life, he calls you this?  It’
s qu
ite a cute nickname, I must say.” S
he giggles softly.

“Yes, I think so, too.” My cheeks grow hot.  Shock is still coursing through my brain.

“He’s not who I see, though.” She sighs, “Not in your future.”

My heart tumbles to the floor.  This is what I have been dreading.  That my anxiety over Mayson is well-founded; that he truly isn’t the one for me.

“May I ask who you see?”

“Well, the man you are dating has sandy hair with very brilliant green eyes, yes?”  I nod. 

“Right, that is definitely not who I am seeing down the road.  I am seeing a tall man with dark brown, chestnut hair.  He is very handsome and cares deeply for you.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and you enjoy one another immensely.  He brings you peace and a tremendous amount of happiness, although you may not realize it when the relationship begins.  It will take some time, but it will be worth it for you, for him, for both of you.  He is the one I see.”

Looking to Morgan, I fail to keep the tears from forming.  Morgan gives me a sympathetic smile and mouths, “It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry,” Kim says gently. “I know it can be awfully difficult to hear the opposite of what you were hoping for.  Remember, not everything I see is 100% correct.  However, when it comes to faces, I am confident in my abilities.  The man who calls you Puddin’ is not the one I see.  That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue this relationship.  Although, I can feel your caution with him and it is not without merit.  I encourage you to continue with a reasonable amount of hesitation.  But, know that you have a remarkable amount of happiness awaiting you in the future.”

Morgan and I spend most of our car ride home in silence.  She is grinning from ear to ear and I am more overwhelmed than ever.  Finally, Morgan speaks.

“Daphne, this doesn’t mean that things won’t work out with Mayson.  You know that, right?  She admitted freely that what she sees isn’t always accurate.  You have to follow your heart.”

“But, am I wasting my time Morgan?  Am I just chasing the dream I’ve had since I was nineteen years old?”

“I have no idea.  But, I do know that you need to give things with Mayson a real chance, or you’ll never forgive yourself.  No regrets, Daphne. You know that I’m not his biggest fan, but I also don’t want you to sabotage the entire relationship because Kim, the supposed psychic, doesn’t see him in your future.”

“Then why have you not been able to stop smiling since we left her home?” I ask accusingly.

Morgan shrugs.  “The good stuff is easier to believe.”

Flight

A month has passed since Mayson left my apartment so early in the morning.  I haven’t seen him in person, but we have Skyped several times and we’ve talked and texted on the phone almost daily.  He’s back in
Denver
now.  I’ve never visited
Colorado
before, and seeing Mayson would be a great way to escape the boring summer break that I’m having, but I have not yet been invited.  Perhaps it’s too soon?

Elise has returned from her incredibly long honeymoon and is settled into life as a “Mrs.” After waiting weeks to update her about Mayson, I’m thrilled to finally share things with my best friend.  Digging into our salads, Elise listens intently as I pour my heart and soul to her.  She knows Mayson better than any of my other friends do.  If anyone can help me through this, it’s Elise. 

I don’t share my visit to the psychic, partially out of embarrassment, but also because I’m not ready to face what Kim has told me about my impending future.  I know Elise would never approve of putting my fate in another’s visions of my future, anyway, so it’s an easy detail to skip as I fill her in on all of the Mayson drama.

“Wow,” she says, gazing at me with large eyes.  “You’ve been quite the busy girl.”

“I know!  Thank God I haven’t had to worry about work.  If this was going to happen, I guess summer break is the best time.  But, seriously, Elise, what have I gotten myself into?”

“Well, what does Morgan think?”

“She doesn’t like him.  But, she’s doing her best to be supportive because she knows how drawn to him I am.  And she doesn’t want me to have any regrets.”  Elise throws me a questioning glance.

“What does your gut tell you?  Is he bad news or do you think he is worth taking a gamble for?”

“So, I’m gambling my heart now?” I ask, pouting.

“Perhaps you are, Daphne.  You know you two don’t exactly have the prettiest track record.  You were together, then he broke your heart and you tried to be friends.  And, then…”

“True,” I agree, interrupting her, “But, at this point, I think I’m too far gone.  I want to see him again.  I hope to see him again, at least.” I stare at my fork, still hovering above my salad.

“What do you mean hope, Daph?  Of course he wants to see you!  You guys text every damn day!”

“Well, I know that.  But, it’s pathetic how much I look forward to his texts.  I depend on them too much.”