A Life Saved

Chapter 5 – Entry #26

“No, that’s big,” Nadia admitted, “but it’s because your Aunt Zizi saved my life years ago.”

“What? How?”

Because Of The Secret?

Chapter 5 – Entry #25

“No,” Nadia said. “Zizi has no idea I decided to tell you, but she told me I should tell you when I felt the time was right. I got thinking about it a few weeks ago when Dominic caught me downstairs dressed in full gypsy regalia, practicing an old dance Zizi and I made up when we were kids. She and I are going to perform it together at Zizi’s annual party this year.” She smiled at Ilona. “Dominic said it was so out of character for me and he wanted to know what strange hold Zizi had over me.”

“Is it because she shared her secret with you?”

It’s Almost Time

Chapter 5 – Entry #24

Nadia took a deep breath. “Yes, except me. That is, until today.”

“Does Aunt Zizi know you’re telling me today?” Ilona asked.

Admit It!

Chapter 5 – Entry #23

“Yes,” Nadia nodded. “The premonitions wouldn’t go away. Finally, Zizi had to admit she had a gift, but she refused to share her secret with anyone.”

“Except you.”

About Frustration

Chapter 5 – Entry #22

Nadia folded her hands on her lap. “Yes, it was a shame, but you have no idea what grandma put Zizi through. For years, she tried to teach Zizi different things. Zizi could never remember the meanings of the various tarot cards; forget palm reading, she was terrible at that, too. The more ideas grandma came up with, the worse Zizi seemed to become. In all honesty, Zizi refused to try.”

“But the premonitions,” Ilona said.

Right Or Wrong? Cruel Or Necessary?

Chapter 5 – Entry #21

“Yeah, Grandmama was right,” Nadia admitted. “And in a way, it was cruel of Zizi to keep it from her. But Zizi wanted to be normal. She didn’t want to be different. After all, the kids already knew she was a gypsy, which was bad enough. No way did she want anyone to know she could see into the future.”

“Poor Grandmama,” Ilona said.

Discover The Gift

Chapter 5 – Entry #20

“We loved your grandmama very much,” Nadia said, “but she was relentless when it came to discovering what special talent each of her children were born with. She was convinced that Zizi and I were both gifted.”

“Well, she was right.”

That’s A Giggle

Chapter 5 – Entry #19

Nadia giggled. “Momma!? She would’ve been the last person Zizi would’ve told.”

“Why?” asked Ilona.

Don’t Tell

Chapter 5 – Entry #18

Nadia leaned back on the sofa. “Zizi didn’t know she had premonitions until she was about 8 or 9 years old. Up till then, she thought she was just intuitive. But too many of her daydreams happened exactly as she envisioned them. That was when she admitted to herself that she had a special gift.”

“What I don’t understand is why she didn’t tell anyone, especially her mother,” Ilona said.

A Secret Is A Secret

Chapter 5 – Entry #17

“I know, I know,” Nadia agreed. “I’ve argued with Zizi many times, telling her that she shouldn’t keep this secret hidden from her husband, but she insists that it’s her gift and she doesn’t want anyone to know about it, especially Vidor.”

Ilona shook her head back and forth. “Well, we know once Aunt Zizi makes up her mind, there’s no convincing her otherwise. When did she get around to telling you about her gift?”

The Secret Remains A Secret

Chapter 5 – Entry #16

Nadia raised her eyes to the sky. “Oh, heaven forbid! No! Zizi never wanted her ability to cloud her marriage to Vidor. She’s very careful not to let him suspect.”

“This is crazy, you know that, right?” Ilona said.

The Child Of Her Heart

Chapter 5 – Entry #15

Sitting together on the sofa, Nadia took Ilona’s hands in hers. “The day I brought you home from the hospital, Zizi proclaimed you the child of her heart. After your fifth birthday party, while she and I cleaned up in the kitchen, she told me only two people beside herself would know about her gift–me and you–the child of her heart.“

“I can’t believe Uncle Vidor doesn’t know.”

After Lunch

Chapter 5 – Entry #14

“Come,” Nadia said, pushing back her chair and standing. “Let’s go sit in the living room. We’ll leave the dishes for later.”

Following her mother, Ilona said, “Now I’m a little hesitant. Are you sure it’s okay to tell me? I mean, are you sure Aunt Zizi meant for me to know?”

A Well-Kept Secret

Chapter 5 – Entry #13

“What do you mean by that?” Ilona countered.

Nadia held up her hands, palms facing Ilona. “Okay, okay, peace. We’ll leave that discussion for another day.”

Another Secret, Pehaps?

Chapter 5 – Entry #12

Ilona sighed. “Yeah, I know I always say that, but jeez, if I could see into the future…”

Nadia smiled and her eyes sparkled when she answered Ilona. “I suspect that you hide certain little things in your quest to be normal, too. You’re not so different from Zizi in that respect.”

Family Secret

Chapter 5 – Entry #11

“Mom! It’s not everyday a person finds out that her aunt can see into the future. 20 years is a long time to keep a secret from me. Seeing the future? It’s bizarre even for our family.”

Nadia nodded. “That’s true. But you of all people should understand why Zizi never told anyone. She wanted to be normal. Does that sound familiar to you? Where have I heard that before?”

Whoa – Hold Up For A Minute

Chapter 5 – Entry #10

Ilona could barely sit still in her chair. “If Aunt Zizi had this power all her life, why doesn’t anyone know about it? Are you pulling my leg, Mom?”

“Ilona, you know I wouldn’t do that. I’ll answer all your questions, just give me a chance.”

It’s True! See The Future.

Chapter 5 – Entry 9

“Slow down, Ilona.”

“I can’t,” Ilona said. “You’re telling me Aunt Zizi can see into the future, and you want me to slow down? You must be kidding!”

Who Knows The Secret?

Chapter 5 – Entry #8

“Yes,” Nadia said.

Ilona laid her fork on her plate. Incredulous, she said, “Not even Gran knew? Or Uncle Vidor?”

Surprise For Ilona

Chapter 5 – Entry #7

Dipping a tiny dumpling into gravy, Nadia said, ” No one else knows. The only other person who will ever know during Zizi’s lifetime will be the “child of her heart.”

Ilona’s eyes opened wide. “That’s what she always calls me!”

An Old, Old Secret

Chapter 5 – Entry #6

Nadia chewed a piece of chicken, swallowed and said, “No, I’m not kidding. And before you ask, why you never knew, or how could this be, or whatever other question is swimming around in your head, Zizi swore me to secrecy years ago, when we were still children.”

“Who else knows?” Ilona glanced away, concentrating. “Gran had to know. And, of course, Uncle Vidor would know. Obviously, Aunt Magda doesn’t know. Does Dominic know? “

The Mystery Revealed

Chapter 5 – Entry #5

Looking down and cutting a piece of chicken, Nadia answered. “Your Aunt Zizi can see into the future.”

Ilona dropped the fork onto her plate. “What? You’re kidding, right?”

So What’s The Secret?

Chapter 5 – Entry #4

[Narrator Note: Nadia is not ready to reveal Zizi's secret to Ilona, yet. So, we'll follow them upstairs.

Although Nadia conducts her card readings in the front room on the first floor, she and Ilona live in a large two-bedroom apartment upstairs.

The room on the first floor is furnished in stereotypical gypsy fashion.

The apartment upstairs would surprise most of her clients. It's cozy. The living room is a mixture of taupe, beige, peach and green with vases, in all shapes and sizes, scattered about the room. The rest of the apartment is, likewise, decorated with restful colors.]

A half hour later, as Nadia and Ilona sat together at the kitchen table eating dumplings and chicken paprikas, Ilona brought the subject up again. “So, are you ready to spill the beans, yet, Mom?”

Still A Mystery

Chapter 5 – Entry #3

“Well?” Ilona coaxed.

Nadia pointed to the steps that led to the second floor living area. “C’mon upstairs. We’ll talk over dinner.”

What’s It All About?

Chapter 5 – Entry #2

When Zizi’s car pulled away, Ilona put her arm around her mother as they walked back into the house. Shaking her head, Ilona said, “Do those two ever stop bickering? What are they always arguing about, do you know?”

“Yes.”

A Curious Conversation

Ilona

Zizi

[Narrator]

[Several weeks after Meggie's reading, Ilona, coming home from work,  meets Zizi and Aunt Magda on the front porch. They have been visiting Nadia and are now on their way home.

After kissing both of them, Ilona joins her mother at the front door.  Together they overhear part of a curious conversation, as the two women make their way down the steps.]

Chapter 5 – Entry #1

Zizi grabbed Magda’s arm to help guide her down the stairs. “Tell me again about this ghost you saw last week, Aunt.”

“Well, I think it might have been a ghost; one can never be certain.” Aunt Magda said. “But stop trying to get me off the subject, you sly devil. I insist you tell me how you knew I would be here today. You always say Nadia called you, but she didn’t know I was stopping by today.”

The Mystery Of The Soul

Chapter 4 – Entry #67

“I think not.” Nadia smiled at Meggie. “It’s for you to look into his soul and recognize him.”

Standing, Meggie said, “It’s all so mysterious, but at least you’ve helped me  move forward and become my own boss. Thanks for encouraging me, Miss N. I’ll work hard at it and I’ll be a success. You’ll see.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Nadia said, walking Meggie to the door.

[This reading is over. A new chapter will begin Sunday.]

“The One”

Chapter 4 – Entry #66

“You will undoubtedly recognize him as the one the next time you see him,” Nadia said, “or maybe not. Sometimes it takes a certain look, or a conversation that hits you. Whatever it is, it will make you tingle.”

“Oh, brother,” Meggie said, running her fingers through her hair. “I don’t believe this. Will you know him the next time you see him?”

Who Is He?

Chapter 4 – Entry#65

Nadia gathered up the cards, wrapped them again in their red silk covering and returned them to the mantle where they always rested between readings. “Ah, yes, well. It is what it is.”

“But what about this guy we both know. Who is he? How will I know him?” Meggie protested.

What?!?!

Chapter 4 – Entry #64

Still standing beside her mother, Ilona said, “Gosh, Mom, that’s deep.”

“And unhelpful,” complained Meggie.

What Does The High Priestess Reveal?

Chapter 4 – Entry #63

Meggie placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. She stared down at the remaining card. “Well, she looks pleasant enough, Miss N.  Let’s hear it.”

“The High Priestess is wise and cautious. You see the moon at her feet and the full moon on her head? They symbolize hidden matters. The High Priestess reveals nothing about the future. She depends upon your instincts to guide you through the maze you are about to enter. She commands you to use common sense, but also to listen to your intuitive inner voice. It is all she is willing to tell.”

The High Priestess

Chapter 4 – Entry #62

“Oh, that was real helpful, Miss N,” Meggie said, with a good deal of sarcasm. She looked at the last card on the table. “I hope this last card will shed more information on my mystery man.”

Nadia took a deep breath and said, “That’s the High Priestess.”

A Tricky Puzzle

Chapter 4 – Entry #61

“I’ve never known her to kid about a reading,” Ilona said. “And by the look on her face, I’d say she’s as baffled as you are.” Standing up, Ilona moved closer to her mother and looked over her shoulder at the remaining cards on the table. “What do you make of it, Mom?”

“Well, even though Meggie and I both would recognize this mystery man, we don’t know if he’s a mutual acquaintance. I mean, he could be a co-worker of Meggie’s, while being a close friend of mine–or vice versa. Or he could be a client of mine, and a school chum of Meggie’s. Any combination is possible.”

Is This A Joke?

Chapter 4 – Entry #60

“It means this person is right under our noses and we have no way to pinpoint who he is.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Meggie turned to Ilona for help. “She’s joking, right? Tell me she’s kidding.”

What?!

Chapter 4 – Entry #59

Nadia shook her head from side to side, a baffled expression on her face. “I evidently know him, too.”

Meggie’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?”

It’s Odd

Chapter 4 – Entry #58

Nadia rubbed her chin and looked at Meggie. “There’s another odd thing about him, too.”

“What? Tell me.”

Who Is He?

Chapter 4 – #57

“He’s someone you’re already acquainted with.”

“He is?”

Tell Me More

Chapter 4 – Entry #56

Nadia took a deep breath. She knew the time had come to tell Meggie about the rest of her reading. “You are going to meet someone special…eventually.”

Meggie’s eyes brightened. “And?”

But What? Tell Me.

Chapter 4 – Entry #55

Purposely keeping Meggie in suspense, Nadia wagged her index finger at her and made some tsk sounds. “Remember, you’re going to be starting a new business. There’s not going to be a whole lot of time for pleasure.”

“But?”

Spill The Beans

Chapter 4 – Entry #54

“Oh, it gets a whole lot more exciting,” Nadia said.

Meggie rubbed her hands together. “Okay, spill it!

No Meteors In The Sky

Chapter 4 – Entry #53

Nadia held her laugh in, her face never betraying her mirth. “What I meant was, enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and spend time doing things you like to do.”

“So,” Meggie said, her eyes now downcast, “no meteoric relationships are going to drop into my lap. Not exactly exciting news, Miss N,” she said, looking up again at Nadia. “I hope this gets better.”

Meaningless Sex

Chapter 4 – Entry #52

“Then let’s proceed with your reading. You’re going to have a few men walk in and out of your life in the next couple of years. The final breakups won’t be particularly devastating for either party.”

Meggie smiled from ear to ear. “Good grief, meaningless sex!”

More Advice From Nadia

Chapter 4 – Entry #51

“So,” Nadia continued, “you shouldn’t be breaking your neck to dive into another serious relationship anytime soon. Okay?”

“Yes.”

Nadia’s Advice

Chapter 4 – Entry #50

“You must allow yourself time to heal,” Nadia said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms in front of her. “The debris left behind after a divorce is devastating to the psyche. The weenie,” she chuckled because she used Meggie’s nickname for her ex-husband, but she immediately became serious again. “He was once the love of your life. I remember, because I met you a few months after your marriage.”

“I know,” Meggie said.

Meggie’s Love Life–Strange?

Chapter 4 – Entry #49

Nadia laughed and shook her head. It was always a treat being around Meggie. She was bubbly and fun. Her spirit hadn’t been stifled by the divorce. She was bitter–yes–but she’d regained her sense of humor. “I’ll tell you about your love life in a minute, Meggie. Part of it is strange. But first, I want to give you some advice.”

“Strange?” Meggie pondered out loud.

Big Decisions

Chapter 4 – Entry #48

The three of them sat silently for a few minutes. Meggie calculating the money she’d been able to save and the money she would have to borrow. Ilona was thinking how great it would be to have Meggie working right next door. Nadia was looking at the next six or seven cards wondering  what, or how, should she tell Meggie.

“I’m goi ng to do it,” Meggie shouted. “Now give me some good news about my love life, Miss N. That will make my day complete. C’mon. I see you eyeing those last few cards.”

The Three Of Pentacles

Chapter 4 – Entry #47

“So you’re saying, try it? Do the cards say I’ll be successful?”

“What the Three of Pentacles shows is that your perseverance and effort in your chosen field will be rewarded. I’m sure that refers to this offer Mrs. Radcliffe has made to you. It also means that it will take a great deal of time and energy on your part to gain some degree of success. How much succes–that is uncertain. However, it is within your grasp.”

Maybe Good, Maybe Not

Chapter 4 – Entry #46

“I’ll be cleaned out, but I think I can manage. It’s a risk. Even with Mrs. Radcliffe’s generous offer, it’s still really scary.”

Nadia thought for a minute. Then she replied. “But as Mrs. Radcliffe has pointed out, you’ll still be young enough to recoup, if necessary.”

This Is A Sweet Deal

Chapter 4 – Entry #45

“It sounds like a sweet deal to me. What do you think, Mom?”

“Yes, it seems like a real good opportunity for you, Meggie. Do you have enough money for equipment and stock?”

Chapter 4 – Entry #44

“Yes, she’s absolutely right,” Ilona answered. “That’s why I kept after you to go back to school in the first place, so you could work at something altogether different.”

“Well, Mrs. Radcliffe agrees. I mean, I know I’ll still love working with flowers and all, but if being a self-employed businesswoman isn’t for me, I can go back to working for someone else.”