One
It was the annual state fair in New York City. It was Spring, almost Summer and the trees were topped with buds ready to flower in the coming season.
It was on a day like today that twenty-six-year-old Bobby Calvert wanted to marry his bride-to-be. She was twenty-four and they were both old enough to know what they wanted. Her name was Rose Dawson. She clung to his arm, clasping her hand around his and he relished the feel of her against him, as they strolled toward the fair. Seven years she had lived in New York City and in that time, it has grown to be her home.
Bobby grasped her hand, he was shy but he was protective of her. He had loved her spirit, her platinum blonde curls and her curves had drove him wild, and with that, she had sworn she had fallen in love with him. He had proposed to her two years previous at a time she did not want to allow any man into her life. She had built a career as a stage actress and that had remained her focus until the war had taken its toll. They had written to each other and on his return, they had shared their first kiss. That Christmas he had proposed to her. Five months later they were happy.
This would be the first annual fair post war and the morale was high. A Ferris wheel was the first thing which caught their eyes, it was larger than they had seen before. It was 180 feet high with 30 cars. Three belly dancers stood on either side of the entrance and introduced New York City to Egypt. Mechanical ducks were on one stall with guns and a prize for the best shot. There was a 'Miss New York' contest with sixteen ladies lined up waiting to apply. A dance hall was situated straight ahead of them and then the new additions; a portrait booth and then a fortune teller. Rose let go of Bobby's arm.
The sights were tremendous. There was an Egyptian theme with tambourines tapped against thighs, 'lucky coins' tossed into the air and people squabbling to catch them. You wouldn't have guessed that months before the world was at war. This was the beginning of A new chapter for all involved. When the first hints of Spring had come, the fog had lifted leaving refreshing crisp mornings. The buds had formed, the sense of new life and the occasional bleat of a new born lamb in the fields. This felt like home.
Rose wore brown pants and a white shirt tucked in. Her hair was plaited to the left so casually and yet beautifully. A few strands came loose and lightly moved with the breeze. She didn't wear a coat and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. A very pale pink nail varnish ensured her nails looked well-groomed and manicured. She wore very little make up preferring her skin to feel natural compared to when she was on stage with heavy rouge and wigs.
She grasped Bobby's hand, he led her first to the Ferris wheel. The view over the tents and beyond was lovely. Rose had never felt closer to the sky. It was right at the top that Bobby took her face in his hands. She was radiant and so beautiful beyond words. He had found an angel and he planned to cling to her for the rest of his life. Their stomachs churned with the motion of the wheel. They were oblivious to anybody else. By the time they had finished their rid, their legs were jelly and their cheeks were flushed.
The jingle of bells attracted Rose to a large tent. It was ratty and brown in colour almost like a large sack. Inside, it was dark. The sign above read FORTUNE TELLER.
''You don't believe in that nonsense, do you?'' Bobby crinkled his nose at her. She led him towards the tent, Bobby followed along awkwardly. He clocked the sign. ''A full dollar for a fortune teller?!''
Rose dug out into her purse and pulled out a dollar note.
''Hey Buster, I work hard for my money.'' She smirked, teasing him. ''It's only a bit of fun.''
The overwhelming scent of roses hit her, seemingly pulling her into the tent. She ducked down as she entered and was welcomed by a young woman.
''I'll see the man first.'' A strong female voice came before they had even fully entered the tent. ''He looks terrified.''
Bobby strolled in front of Rose and when his eyes adjusted to the darkness, a tanned raven-haired beauty was seated at an unsteady wooden table. It was covered in a moth-eaten cloth and various cards sat on the table. She wore a purple ribbon in her hair which was tied in a large bow and then the stray ends mingled into her hair. The dark mauve matched her skirt. Her arms rattled as charms dangled from her wrists, large moon shaped earrings were in her pierced ears.
''Come, sit.'' She told him indicating to the chair opposite. ''Your lady can wait outside.''
Rose was stunned by the gypsy's beauty. She was like something from the fashion pages but yet there was something stunningly mysterious about her. Rose left the tent as she was instructed and went to wait outside.
''I'll be out in a moment, honey.'' He called after her.
''Hands on the table, young man.''
Bobby placed them on the table and his eyes met the fortune tellers. they were pure green, almost hypnotic. He noticed a name on one of her many necklaces; Aishe. It meant alive. I bet she is, he thought to himself.
Her eyes seemed to glaze over as she studied his hands.
''You've been to war,'' she told him. ''You were fortunate but your heart laid elsewhere.''
Bobby listened to her intently. ''Turn your hands over.''
He did so. ''You were not hurt physically but mentally. Your lady did not return your love fully. That was deeper than any gunshot wound.''
Bobby blinked. This was true. It wasn't until after he returned that Rose had agreed to be his wife.
She shuffled her deck of cards before handing them to Bobby with her right hand.
''With your right hand only pick four cards from this deck which appeal to you the most and lay them face down left to right.''
He did so and Aishe took a deep and cleansing breath. He watched as she closed her eyes and tipped her nose upward before whispering something under her breathe. She then turned over the cards one by one which he had picked.
''Flowers, pig, anchor and a heart.'' She ran her hand over the four of them., her lips pressed together. ''Very good.''
She glanced to Bobby. He didn't question anything. He watched as she picked them up one by one. ''The flowers represent happiness, aid and surprises. With the pig, it brings success and fortune. I sense this is in your personal life as the anchor is success in business or employment.''
She grasped the final card.
''Aha, a heart.''
She smirked placing the card to her chest.
''An early and happy marriage. You have a romantic life; your lady is in your heart. This is also a symbol of bad feelings.'' She threw the card on the table. ''But believe me, that is not for you.''
Bobby realized he was holding his breathe. He removed his hands from the table. It was as though he had momentarily been possessed and he felt his destiny lay in the arms of this strange woman. Her green eyes were the deepest he had ever seen. He felt foggy headed and lethargic.
''Well,'' he stood from the chair. ''Thank you.''
He placed a dollar on the table and she took it from him. She put it in an elephant shaped money box as the coin hit the bottom it rattled signifying the box was full.
''Fetch your lady in.'' She licked her lips and crossed her legs beneath the table. ''This girl I want to see.'' She muttered to herself.
Rose stood outside the tent watching passers-by. Children dragging their parents to the wheel, men winning small teddy bears on the shooting range. Bobby peered behind her, he snaked his right arm around her waist and he kissed her cheek.
''My destiny has been unravelled.'' He grinned, cocking his head to one side.
She couldn't help but smile. ''I do hope it's a good one.''
''Of course.'' He let go of her. ''She asked for you.''
Rose touched Bobby's hand and their fingers brushed together as she left him outside. As she entered the tent, she had a strong feeling of something but she couldn't fully explain what. It was as though she had entered a dream world.
''Sit down.'' Rose did as she was told. ''Place your hands flat on the table.''
Her eyes travelled to the ring on her fourth finger. It was petite and pretty.
''Ah, I see the source of much pain.''
Her eyes met Aishe's. She narrowed her eyes and glanced at her own engagement ring.
''Turn your hands over nice and slow.''
Aishe concentrated on them. They were so delicate but she felt that they would be capable of work, hard work.
''I see turbulence. You made a difficult decision and another will be made soon. I see red. That is all I see. A rich deep red.''
Rose felt her breathing slow down. Aishe shuffled the cards again. Holding them out with her right hand.
''Right hand only. Choose four cards which you are drawn to and lay them face down.''
Rose shakily took four from the pack.
''The rider, lilies, the flames and lightening.''
''What does that mean?''
Rose's hands still sat on the table.
''The rider brings new chances for you but you need to act quickly. There is always chance for improvements and movements in your life with this card. The lilies bring happiness and peace over time. But there is also caution in actions. If prudence is not exercised, you could find yourself isolated or alone.''
She took a long pause as she closed her hands over Rose's. They felt as though they were on fire.
''The flames is a good card, it shows warmth and happiness. It can burn away negatives and I sense this card is closest to you, for someone who was once close to you. They knew of this fire within you.''
Tears came to Rose's eyes. Jack.
''Lightening.'' She continued. ''A surprising turn of events is shown. It will shock you, take you by surprise and the fire inside will be alight once more.''
She let go of her hands. They were once cold but now her body was red hot.
''The red I saw wasn't a flame. It was a rose in full bloom but at the moment, I feel it may have withered.'' She smirked, shrugging. ''But Spring is upon us.''
Rose wanted to press more but she physically could not find the words. She stood from the seat with a heavy stomach feeling. She stepped out of the tent. Her eyes struggled to adjust to the light. She felt heavy and her good mood had dampened and a cloud of fog surrounded her head.
''Well, what did she say?'' Bobby beamed.
Aishe came to the tent opening. Her eyes were brighter in the daylight. She wore a white shirt, cropped at the stomach, showing a smooth tanned flat middle.
''We don't share our destiny with each other. We enjoy it ourselves.''
Rose's lips were dry as she wordlessly watched Aishe raise her eyebrows. There was something mystical about her but she couldn't place it. She was almost like something from a moving picture or a play.
''Come, darling.''
Bobby took hold of her hand. Rose couldn't help but maintain eye contact with her as she was led away.
''Crazy, intense woman.'' Bobby shook his head. ''They tell you any old stuff just for a couple of bucks.''
Rose laughed. Her mood lifted slightly.
''Two dollars, wasted.'' She cursed at herself for even entertaining the idea of a fortune teller.
''How about the portrait booth?''
He led her towards the small tent.
''We need something a little less depressing.''
Inside different portraits hung, some were distorted and some were pretty good. The sign read $1 per picture. Inside, it was one man and his art and a bench to sit on. There was a few admirers and Rose squinted her eyes to see the pictures but they were charcoal and so far, away. Her head was a hazed blur of the gypsy's words, squealing children and Bobby's smiling face and then she was ushered forward.
''Do you want to take a seat?'' She was asked and her arm was pulled forward.
Her feet rooted to the spot. Bobby pulled her but felt he wasn't strong enough. The only thing she was aware of was him.
Jack Dawson.
Twenty-seven years old.
She grabbed Bobby for support but her eyes never left his. He held a piece of charcoal in his left hand and wore a grey shirt and jean style trousers. he had not moved himself.
He had died seven years ago.
There will be turbulence...
The words echoed through her mind. It would start now…
