Ten Times Guilty Read Free

suggesting how to overcome it. Come on, you can’t quit now; you promised.”
    “All right, we’ll finish this thing.” Tracy headed for the chair, yanked it out and sat down. “Then I never want to hear about it again. Agreed?”
    “God, what a shit.”
    “You said it’s not all bad. Does it say anything about school? Is there anything in all those drawings to tell me if I’m going to manage some classes? Surely there must be something good in my future.”
    Carrie pointed to the shrouded figure. “This can be good. Placed here, at the top right, the Death card means a matter concluded, a rebirth, and a transformation. A lesson will be learned. And it shows your strength of character. Your bravery, too.”
    Tracy sighed. There wasn’t much bravery in plodding to work every day or staying home each night with a ten-month-old child. Not much character in pulling out her hair trying to stretch one dollar into ten and still trying to budget for classes.
    If only she would give in and let the State help. But when she felt she couldn’t manage another step, she thought of her grandfather, a French immigrant who arrived in New Orleans at six years old and couldn’t speak a word of English. And her Irish grandmother, who always told Tracy to work hard and believe in the impossible. They survived insects and alligators in Bayou Creek and a house on stilts, built to discourage deadly water moccasins and cottonmouths. But their home was filled with love and laughter, with neighbors sharing pots of fresh shrimp gumbo and their special music of fiddles, guitars, washboards, and accordions.
    “Never take anything you don’t earn,” her fiercely proud grandmother counseled. “If you do, you’ll be beholden. When that happens, you’ll never be able to do what you feel here, in your heart. So take your licks, stand up straight, and try again.”
    Tracy knew if she had character, it came from her father’s family. She was devastated when they perished in a sudden marsh fever that wiped out entire families. But her grandmother’s words stayed with her, never letting her forget their fierce pride.
    No, assistance was not for her. She might be broke, but at least she paid her own way. Such as it was.
    “Bravery,” she finally said. “I wish.”
    “Don’t worry, it’s there. The cards say so. It’ll show up when you need it. But you’re going to have to be careful. The cards are giving strong warning signs.”
    “That’s enough.” Tracy grabbed her purse. “I’m not listening to any more.”
    Thunder rumbled and Tracy felt the vibration in the old house. For a moment, Carrie looked like a phantom silently regarding her. Chills prickled the back of her neck. “Oh, this is ridiculous. I’m leaving.”
    “Wait,” Carrie said. “You might not want to listen, but the cards are telling you to prepare and you’d better pay attention. Something’s going to happen that’ll change your entire life. You’ll need all your strength and bravery to see it through.
    “And Tracy,” Carrie called to her friend’s retreating back, “it’s going to happen soon.”
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Tracy almost ran into the dining room, glad to get away from Carrie and those damn cards.
    Desolation?
    No, she didn’t believe it, wouldn’t even think about it. Otherwise, she would feel immobilized, too afraid to step out the door. She couldn’t allow that to happen; she had to provide for her son.
    At least Mr. Madden, the museum’s manager, had approved her request for longer hours, and tomorrow she would start the evening shift from one to nine, leaving her mornings free for classes. She was moving forward and she wouldn’t allow a silly prediction to cloud her plans.
    After all, it was just a deck of cards.
    Instead of passing through the dining room to the back door, Tracy paused at one of the chrome urns next to the kitchen. A cup of tea might help the chill she felt from the reading and fortify her for the walk