Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 3

by Tina Bendoni, Michelle Hasker

  She had closed her eyes and breathed deep. She seemed to go into a trance, almost, or at the very least a state of slight meditation. When she opened her eyes, Tabitha felt herself almost dragged into their depths. What the hell?

  Unfazed, the woman smiled, and placed her hand on the card. “This card is a symbol of what is present in your life, what you need to address before you can move forward. Nothing is insurmountable, you only need to make the decisions and actions necessary."

  Slowly the woman turned over the card. The Devil. Well that didn't look too good.

  "The Devil card is not a sign of evil as so many seem to think. It is a symbol for voluntary restriction, for self-imposed limitations. It can be something as mundane as chores you know you have to do for the day, to taking someone's life in your hands, and thinking you can be responsible for their happiness."

  "What did Carol say to you?"

  "Nothing, my dear, nothing. I only tell you what the cards tell me.

  "I see that perhaps you are finding yourself chained to a duty you have willingly accepted. Perhaps the need for that duty has passed, or perhaps you can let go of some of it now. It can also be a sign of someone who is too wrapped up in the material world, but I do not think that would be you. Perhaps, though, it's time to work on your inner self?

  "I see maybe a chance has been presented to you that you have refused. Because of the aforementioned duties. Life is not all about responsibility. Sometimes you have to let go. You have to live life as it was meant to be lived: Freely. Not as a prisoner of your own making."

  Tabitha shook her head. How the hell does the woman know what is going on? Is she talking about Johnny? What else could she be talking about? The only reason she had told him to leave was for Carol's sake. It wasn't fair to Carol.

  But did Carol really still need her as much as Tab thought she did? Carol was already looking to college, she was a year ahead of her peer group. Soon she would be out of the house, and where would that leave Tabitha?

  Had Carol asked the woman to tell her to lighten up? No, that's not what the woman was telling her.

  "You're a young woman, do not let life pass you by."

  "Excuse me?” Tabitha pulled herself out of her thoughts to respond to the woman.

  "It is within you to make the right choice. Just don't make it too late."

  * * * *

  "Hey, Johnny left his tools here last night."

  Tabitha looked up from placing her keys in the basket at the entry table. Her heart picked up at the mention of Johnny. “He did? Wow, neither of us noticed."

  Carol got a sly look on her face. “Why, what else was on your mind?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Well he was a sexy hunk. And he definitely had the hots for you. That much was obvious."

  "Well just ‘cause a man has the hots doesn't mean you have to act on it.” Tabitha walked away from her sister and into the living room. She did not need the conversation going in that direction.

  "Tab, when are you going to realize that all men are not Rick? There are some good ones out there, you know. And just because you show interest doesn't mean you have to be bound to him for the rest of your life."

  "Carol, I do not compare all men I date to Rick."

  "What men? You haven't dated anyone since Rick. You've closeted yourself up in this house with me as though you don't need anyone else. But you do, Tabitha."

  "I don't know what you're talking about, Carol. I'm perfectly happy with the way things are."

  "Well I'm not. Dammit, Tabitha, how do you think it makes me feel to know you've dedicated the last ten years of your life to me? Everything you do revolves around me."

  "That's not true. I go to work. I go out."

  "With your married female friends. You haven't been on a real date in years, and even the ones you did go on never went past the first one. Tabitha, it's time to let go. You're not responsible for Mom and Dad dying."

  Tabitha's head shot up at her sister's words. “What are you talking about?"

  Carol sat next to her sister. “Tab, it was an accident. There was nothing any of us could have done. You've done everything you promised Mom you would do, and then some. They wouldn't want you giving up your entire life for me. And neither do I."

  "I haven't given up—"

  "Tabitha Thompson, stop lying to me. Stop lying to yourself. I saw something between you and Johnny last night that I've never seen before. You were happy. Hell, you were glowing. If you dare let that man get away, I will never forgive you. I'm not going to be here forever, sis. What are you gonna do when I'm gone?"

  Tabitha's eyes narrowed. “Did that fortune teller say something to you?"

  "What does it matter if she did, if it's the truth? You need to start living for yourself, o big sister of mine. Stop worrying so much about me and my future, and worry about yourself."

  Carol gave her sister a hug. “I love you, sis. Now call that man and get him back here.” She stood up and walked out of the living room, Tabitha watching her all the while. She was quite the young lady, and maybe she was on to something.

  "She's right you know."

  Tabitha's head snapped up to see Johnny leaning against the doorjamb behind her, arms crossed, looking at her with a strange expression.

  "Excuse me?"

  "Your sister, she's right. You can't lock yourself in this house for the rest of your life. You are still young, you need to get out and live a little."

  "Is that so?"

  Johnny nodded his head, saying nothing.

  "How did you get in?"

  "The door was open, I knocked on the screen, but no one heard me. I just came to get my tools."

  Tabitha looked at him leaning there. All her feelings from the night before and this morning came back to her full force. She hadn't thought she would ever see him again and it had nearly killed a part of her to throw him out this morning.

  Would he accept her apology? Would he truly understand why she had done what she had? Why didn't he do something? Was he just standing there waiting for her?

  "Johnny ... I..."

  He pushed himself up and strode toward her purposefully. She held her breath as he rounded the couch and sat beside her to take her hands in his.

  "I told you this morning you couldn't get rid of me that easily, didn't I?"

  "But I..."

  "I knew why you were doing it. But she really is right, you know."

  "I know."

  "Pretty smart young lady you have there."

  "I know. I don't know how I got so lucky."

  "Probably a little bit of luck, and a lot of hard work on both your parts."

  "So where does this leave us?” Tabitha asked as she looked up into his deep brown eyes.

  "Where do you want it to leave us?"

  "I don't know, Johnny. It's been so long since I've been in any kind of relationship."

  "We can take it slow. I don't have a problem with that. As long as we take it together, okay?"

  Tabitha smiled, feeling a part of her soul warm at his touch, his look, his words.

  "Together."

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  THE WORLD

  by

  Tina Bendoni

  "Congratulations, Kathy. You deserve it.” Sarah raised her glass.

  Kathy smiled as she met Sarah's glass in midair for a clink, before they both took a sip, Sarah's boyfriend watching them. Kathy sat back and gazed at the two of them. She hadn't expected her best friend to find someone so perfect for her so quickly, but she couldn't be happier for her. Sarah had been through a lot and she deserved some happiness.

  "Penny for them.” Kathy blinked as Sarah snapped her fingers in front of her face.

  "Sorry, was lost in thought for a moment there."

  "Do you know how proud Riley would be of you right now?” Sarah's voice softened as she spoke of Kathy's former husband, dead almost five years now. He had been Kathy's biggest supporter, pushing her and sup
porting her whenever she thought she couldn't do something. How she had survived half a decade without him, Kathy still didn't know.

  The pain had lessened, but it was still there. There would always be a hole in her heart where Riley's love had been before.

  "I know."

  Sarah gazed at Kathy for a few moments before visibly shaking herself. “I'm sorry, Kathy. I didn't mean to bring him up."

  Kathy smiled sadly. “No, that's okay, Sarah. I'm alright. It's not like I haven't thought the same thing ever since I got the news today. He would have been very proud of me."

  Sarah nodded quickly before she reached out to hug her friend.

  "I hate to break this up, ladies, but we need to head to the gate if we want to make the plane."

  Kathy glanced at her watch and then back to Jack. “Oh, dammit, you're right.” She turned to her friend of nearly twenty years. “I'm so glad you guys were able to stopover here for the day. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I saw you last."

  "I know. You're still coming out to Pennsylvania for Christmas, right?"

  "I wouldn't miss it for the world.” They were walking back to the security checkpoint where Kathy knew they would have to part. Them showing up today of all days had been a wonderful surprise. There was no one else in the world she would rather celebrate making partnership in the firm with. No one else alive, that was.

  Kathy's heart gave a twinge. She usually managed to go days without feeling the loss of the love of her life, but today had been exceptionally difficult. Who knew one of the best days of her life was also going to be the worst?

  "Are you still planning on going away for the weekend?"

  Kathy nodded. “Yeah, it will be the last time in a while that I can get any time away. I probably shouldn't but I've had this trip planned for so long, I really don't want to give it up."

  "Don't. You need the time away, I'm sure. And there isn't much you can do until Tuesday."

  "True."

  At the sound of their flight being called for boarding, Sarah and Jack gave Kathy hugs. It was nice to finally meet Jack, after having heard about him for the last six months, and Kathy realized she liked him. He would definitely be good for Sarah. After promises to call as soon as they got home from visiting Jack's family, the two of them walked off arm in arm. Kathy watched them until they were out of sight, then turned around with a sigh. It was time for her to get a move on if she wanted to beat the worst of the traffic and not spend half of her weekend on freeways.

  * * * *

  Kathy looked around her suite with satisfaction. She had worked hard to be able to earn some nice little perks in her life, and class A accommodations were one of those things she never ceased to take advantage of. There was nothing like a large room with all the amenities she could ever want, even if she didn't spend that much time in the room. Why be cramped when she didn't have to be?

  She set out her things to keep them from getting too wrinkled and sat down to read a bit before getting ready for dinner. She had picked up a romance before leaving the airport, despite knowing she shouldn't have. Romances made her too sad. Happily ever afters didn't exist, so why did these authors continue to insist they did? Kathy put the book down and stared into space. She'd had the happily ever after. At least she thought she had until Riley died.

  Their love had been one in a million. He had been everything to her. Her best friend, lover, supporter. He had been her entire life. And he would be pissed at her for the way she had put her life on hold for the last five years.

  Riley had never been one for stopping when life circumstances changed. He had always been a go get ‘em kind of person. He would be heartbroken and disappointed to know she hadn't moved on emotionally.

  Kathy knew it was time to let go, but it was so hard. It had taken her over two years to start to go through Riley's stuff after he had died. She still lived in the same apartment they had shared when he was still alive, despite the fact she could now afford something bigger and better.

  Sarah bringing him up today had just brought things to the forefront. It was time to move on. Riley would have wanted her to.

  Kathy got up to get dressed for dinner. This weekend would be the beginning of that change for her. She had everything she needed and wanted in her professional life, and she'd had more in her personal life than a lot of people ever dream of. It was time to start anew.

  She looked herself over one last time before stepping out the door for dinner. Her short black dress was perfect for a night at the restaurant here in the hotel. She would just have a nice relaxing dinner, and come back up here to do some late night reading before going to sleep.

  * * * *

  At least that was her plan. But as she sat in the bar with the four women she had met just a few hours ago, she had to admit their plan was much better. Kathy hadn't realized there was a convention for businesswomen going on in the hotel or she probably would have made reservations elsewhere. But she was glad she hadn't.

  The women met her outside the restaurant when she had nearly broken a heel on a loose tile. After making sure she was alright, they had convinced her to join them, and she had warily agreed. Now she was heartily glad she had. These women had more energy than a football team, and were determined to have fun no matter what. They'd been drinking and dancing for the last three hours, and none of them were ready to stop.

  "Kathy, Kathy, come on, look at that one."

  Kathy was afraid to turn around. The women were all older than her by at least ten years, and most of them were married. They had been spending the last two hours trying to get her to check out the men as they entered the hotel bar, and making sure she danced with almost every single one. Not that being married had stopped them from checking out and dancing with the beefcakes themselves. As they had stated more than once, looking never hurt anybody.

  Kathy laughed the nudges away, and refused to turn from her drink. The last one they had convinced her to look at had looked like her uncle George. Or at least he would have if she had one. She took another sip of her drink, and realized the woman facing the bar had suddenly gone very quiet. The look on her face alone was enough to get Kathy to turn to see what had her so enraptured.

  Damn. Talk about beefcake. Tall dark and handsome didn't begin to cover it. He had to be at least six foot five with short black hair, and a face that looked like it had been chiseled out of granite. Kathy grew wet at the sight of his large chest and biceps barely held in check by his black shirt.

  She hadn't felt lust this instantaneous since her first crush in high school. His eyes raked the room as though looking for something, or someone. Kathy licked her lips and held her breath. And then his eyes met hers. She thought she was going to melt in a puddle on the chair from the shock of desire that hit her.

  "Oh, my God, Kathy, he's coming this way."

  "Girl, he's staring at you. Do you know him?"

  Kathy watched him as he approached the table. Time seemed to slow down as he strode in her direction. She told herself to turn away from him, that he was headed to another table behind her. There was no way he was headed directly to her. Things like that only happened in romances and spy movies. Her life was more like a comedy where the girl thought she was being checked out by the hunk, and it turned out he was checking the guy behind her.

  No one was more surprised than her when he stopped at their table and put his hand out, palm up. “May I have this dance?"

  His voice rumbled through her, sending tingles to places that had no right to be tingling. Heat flushed her body as she instinctively put her hand in his. He tugged her up to a standing position and escorted her onto the dance floor.

  When they got to the floor he pulled her into his arms, and she was lost. He held her tightly against his hard chest and he moved their bodies to the music. The smell of man and sex enveloped her senses.

  Kathy tried to call the sane part of her brain to the fore, but couldn't. All she could do was feel. The strong muscles in his a
rms, his hard chest, his firm hand against her back. Heat radiated from every touch, turning her body and brain into mush.

  She waited for him to say something, anything, but he just held her in his arms and danced. She willed the song to end, quickly. If it didn't, she really would be a puddle of goo that needed to be scraped from the floor.

  "I've been watching you."

  She swallowed hard at his husky baritone, the first words he had spoken since asking her to dance.

  "I haven't seen you."

  He looked down at her, meeting her eyes with his deep chocolate brown ones. “You've been too busy dancing with the young pups all night."

  Kathy flushed. “They weren't all that young. Besides, it's not like you're much older than them.” Although if she were to be honest with herself, he was probably about forty, no more than five years older than herself.

  "Age isn't only measured in years.” His accented words made her wonder if he had said exactly what he meant, but she had to agree with him, age wasn't only a matter of years. If it was, then she wouldn't be feeling like she was the oldest woman in the bar. Although in this man's arms, she suddenly felt like a hot horny teenager all over again.

  "Do you often spy on women from the back room?"

  "No. You would be my first."

  Kathy was vaguely aware of the song coming to a stop and changing to something with a hot Latino beat. The man shifted his grip and grabbed hold of her hips as they gyrated together, her body taking control, her mind long gone.

  She couldn't recall a time she had been hotter for a man than she was right now. Not even Riley had elicited this immediate desire to get her brains fucked out. The beat of the music drove her on as she rode his leg, sure that her panties were soaked through and that she was going to leave a streak on his black jeans.

  Neither said anything as they continued to dance, but she realized she was more than ready to do something totally out of character and take a chance.

  After another slow dance as she inhaled his manly scent while he held her close, he asked her if she wanted to take a walk down the beach. She agreed eagerly and went to pick up her purse at the table.