Page 64 of Nothing Less than Magic
“Austin? Is it Austin?”
“Who’s Austin?”
“My ex-husband?” I already told her this the last time. And she already went through the same song and dance about the three men. And yet, I’m hanging on her every word.
“I don’t know,” she says. “The older one feels more like a relative.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Why would a relative want me back?”
“Your father, maybe. You said his name is Christopher, right?”
“Right. Chris. Is it him?”
“I don’t know. I feel his presence, but the older man . . . Ugh. It’s frenetic. There’s a lot happening around you. A lot to wade through. So many people.”
“What about Knox? Do you see him, too?”
“Who’s Knox?”
“My handyman,” is all I say, because I don’t know what he is, only that I’m falling for him.
“I see him,” she says. “Plaid tie. No, it’s a plaid shirt. He doesn’t want you to leave. He’s holding on, but you’re slipping away from him. You won’t take the jump. Wait . . . wait. Dammit!”
“What? What do you see?”
“I’m losing it. Everything has gone dark.” Misty opens her eyes. “It was there, right in front of me, and then it disappeared, like a blank screen. We’ll have to try again in the morning.”
“But I can’t, I’m leaving town. Can’t we rest for a little while and do it again, like in an hour?”
“I’m sorry, I have another appointment. Your time is up.”
“Seriously? It seems like we were making excellent progress. What about after your appointment? I can leave later, extend my time here.”
“I’m booked solid today. I have time next week. Come back then.”
Before I know it, she’s pushing me toward the door. I’m not a paranoid person, but I’m getting the sense that Misty may have seen something she doesn’t want to share with me. Something catastrophic.
I go over everything she said the whole way down the mountain, dissecting each one of her visions. I am so lost in my head, I forget my fear of heights and make it to the flats without hyperventilating. A small blessing. But I’m no further ahead than I was when I started. In fact, I’m more confused than ever.
So instead of focusing on myself, I swing by Flower Power. It’s on my way out of town, and I’ve compiled a list of local marriage counselors for Sadie. I’ve checked out their credentials, and they’re all top-notch.
I surreptitiously slide the list to Sadie when Ginger isn’t looking.
“When will you be back?” Sadie says.
“Hopefully next weekend.” But I know it’s only wishful thinking. As soon as I return to work, it will suck me in and spin me out until I’m completely consumed by it again.
“We’ll miss you for happy hour,” Ginger says. “Can’t you work remotely? It seems like that’s what everyone is doing nowadays.”
“I need to be based in San Francisco, near an airport.” My stomach fills with dread. For the first time, I’m not so wowed by the idea of traipsing across the country, giving my spiels to sold-out rooms. It’s probably just the accident. Once I get in the groove again, I’ll remember all the reasons I loved it so much.
I move in to hug both women goodbye. In the short time we’ve been acquainted, it feels like I’ve known them my whole life. And like they know me, a different me than the one I really am, the me I wish I was.
“Let us know as soon as you’re up again,” Sadie says, and pushes a bouquet of pink stargazer lilies into my hand. “For the ride to the city. They’ll make your car smell good.”
She’s not kidding. The flowers are incredibly fragrant, like perfume.
On my way to the car, I see Katie on Main Street, sitting on a bench, eating a sandwich. I wave and cross over.
