In my reading Eden thought she was choosing between two men, one who represented a past decision, another who represented a future promise. She had never considered that the same man could be both.
“I haven’t thought about it for long, but it came to me as strong as—”
A bolt of lightning illuminates the sky outside the window. The three of us turn to watch its beauty fade. A crash of thunder follows two seconds later.
“As strong as that,” Rick says.
“That seems like a perfect note to go downstairs and gather the rest of the group for our friendly little game. You two can go first,” I say.
I walk down the main stairs into the living room, where a full dance party is happening. No one notices me cross the room and pick up my sound bowl. I give it a quick tap with my fingertips.
“I thought we’d play a game,” I announce.
Rick and Eden take the center seats on the couch, cuddled together. Aimee turns off the music and the group files into the living room.
“What the hell is this?” Adam asks. His voice is nearly a shout, as if he didn’t realize the music had stopped. Eden looks up at him, a quick glance no one else would notice if they weren’t already paying attention to their dynamic. Adam recovers but takes a seat in one of the chairs with a huff.
“This is a game I play with the guests who elect to do the group readings.”
“Truth or dare?” Ted guesses, his voice slurring on the th in truth.
“It’s called fate or free will. I’ll ask about something that happened in your lives, and you say whether you thought it was fate or free will. I will look in your chart to see if I can get an indication of what forces were at play.”
“Oh, this sounds fun,” Margot says. “Can I go first?”
“Actually, Eden and Rick were here first, so they’re up. Okay, your meet-cute—fate or free will?”
“Fate, for sure,” Rick says.
“When was it?” I ask.
“Fourth of July, 2020.”
“During the pandemic and a Venus retrograde in Gemini. For both of you that’s two strong checkmarks on the side of free will.”
“It wasn’t fate?” Rick asks.
“Does that mean we’re not supposed to be together?” Eden asks.
“It means your meeting was a random encounter, but your souls can still be fated,” I say. “Soulmates can’t miss each other. The Universe will keep trying until you get it right.”
I look over at Adam, who wears a grimace. He doesn’t like me supporting his current girlfriend leaving him. It’s my time to pounce.
“Adam, you’ve opted out of a lot of my activities, which is obviously your free will, but I have a special question you’re fated to answer this weekend.”
“When do I get to go?” Margot asks.
I slip my hand into my pocket again and tap the voice recorder. “Fate or free will, your biggest fan falling for you?”
“Did you just say his biggest fan falling for him?” Aimee repeats. “I knew it.” She jumps up from the edge of the couch and runs out of the room. Even with the storm raging outside, her stomping and cursing echo through the house. Aimee returns with her arms full of novels. As she makes her way to the couch, they tumble from her grasp with a thud, leaving a tail behind her. I don’t understand, but my moment is already getting away from me.
“It’s you. You’re trying to steal my husband,” Aimee says. “You left me a note that says I shouldn’t be here. I’m in your way.”
“What? No. Aimee, you’ve got this all wrong,” I say. She’s confused and thwarting my plan with her projection.
“I saw the books in the library. I thought Adam would be so happy. ‘Rini’s a fan of your work.’ But so are thousands of women. I didn’t put it together.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask. “Those are Audra Rose novels.”
“And you’re his biggest fan. I got it. Don’t treat me like I’m dumb,” she says.
Aimee’s voice grows louder as she drops the pile of Audra Rose novels on the wood floor. She picks up a single book and rips a handful of pages out, then tosses them into the air like confetti. Adam remains silent. Across the room, Margot stares at her brother. I wonder what she thinks. What she knows.
“I should have known,” Aimee says. “From the moment I saw your picture, I thought you looked familiar. I must have seen you around our apartment in the city. Sneaking off from a rendezvous before the wife got home.”
“No, Aimee, none of that is true,” I say.
“Of course you’d gaslight me. Just like you tried to do in my reading. Suggesting that if I lose Adam maybe I’ll gain something better, when you really just wanted me out of the picture.”
Aimee grunts and tears out more pages. She crushes them in her hand with a fist of fury.
“Adam,” Margot says.
“Aimee, wait,” I say. “You’re right about my vague familiarity. But it’s not me. Adam’s biggest fan was a student of his. My sister.”
“Your sister?” Aimee repeats.
“Andi,” I say.
