Reggie was collecting Gabby and Ayesha from Play-tots, while Opal collected AJ and Miranda from school. It was the first step in the kid's plan to find out the reason for all the bad things that had been happening to their moms.
They had talked to Opal in the car about their concerns. But when Miranda asked if she thought the bad things happening could really be the fault of Michael Cambias' ghost, Opal's reply was swift and certain.
"…That monster's soul is so far down in the bowels of Hades, he ain't ever coming out..!"
When they slowed for a junction Opal turned round in her seat to look at the kids.
"Look." she said "I am happy to talk to you about spirituality but maybe it would help instead if we started looking to the future."
"What do you mean?" asked AJ.
"I mean I shall do you a reading and we can see where all this hardship is really leading you. I don't know why I didn't think of doing this before!"
…
They arrived at the Martin house and Opal took them through to the kitchen. She lay a colourful scarf over the kitchen table then signalled to the children to take a seat. She pulled out a pack of tarot cards and sat opposite them.
"I think just the Major Arcana will do." she said sorting through the pack. Then she handed the cards to Miranda. "I'll do the reading for you Miranda, as you are the one in the middle of this. Could you shuffle the cards?"
"Will this really work?" AJ asked.
"There is a legend that this is an ancient divination technique was passed down from the Great Pharaoh's themselves. Tarot means 'Royal Road' in Ancient Egyptian, you know? Like the royal road to learning, this is the royal road to your inner self. And it is a valuable tool for those of us with gift of sight."
AJ straightened up in his chair. This sounded cool!
"And you have that gift.
"I do." said Opal solemnly.
Miranda did as she asked and shuffled the few cards together the best she could and then handed them back.
"Wonderful." said Opal and she began to lay six cards out, face down.
"Now with tarot you have to examine the cards and they will tell us about your past, your present and your future."
Miranda nodded in understanding, and AJ eagerly pulled his chair closer intrigued about what they would find.
Opal turned over the first card; it showed a picture of a man with stick over his shoulder and a little white dog at his feet.
"The Fool." said Opal solemnly. "This represents a journey or that a change is coming."
"What sort of change?" asked Miranda.
"I don't know. I change to your family; a change to your fortunes. We shall see…"
She turned over the next card and then frowned. It had a picture of a castle on fire on it, only the card was upside down.
"The Tower." said Opal with a sigh. "This is a symbol of bad things; hard times; sudden change. But as the card is inverted it's effects are slightly less. A symbol of falling, but landing on one's feet, if you will."
"But is it the bad things that have happened or bad things coming." Miranda asked
Opal gave Miranda a smile.
"Well as the first card represented a journey, I'd say this was where the journey started. The bad place you are coming from."
"And where is she going?" AJ asked.
"We shall see." said Opal, turning the next card.
The next card showed an angel doing some kind of magic trick with wine glasses.
"Ah," said Opal, "Temperance. This card symbolises the joining of lives; harmony and security."
"Our family." said Miranda looking to AJ. "Is this the joining of our family?"
"It could very well be."
Opal turned the next card.
"The Moon."
Miranda nodded, she could see the moon on the card, but she wasn't sure why the two dogs at the bottom were barking at it.
"The moon represents dreams and nightmares; difficult and emotional times."
"It has been hard sometimes with mom and Binks being in hospital a lot." said AJ, looking to Miranda.
"And I have had bad dreams about stuff, only it's getting better."
"Well that is good." said Opal. She tapped the first card, the Fool, again. "Because we are on a journey and we know we have to get through all this turmoil…" she tapped the Tower and the Moon card. "… and we know you are on this journey together…" she tapped the Temperance card.
"But where is she going?" asked AJ.
Opal turned over the next card.
"I think first the cards are telling us how you will get there."
The card she had turned up was of a man in front of a table of odd shaped stuff.
"This is the Magician." said Opal. "He represents a need to tap into your potential; to not hold back."
"To be brave?" suggested AJ with his own interpretation.
"Quite possibly that too." said Opal.
Miranda's eyes were on the final card still face down on the table.
"But what does the last card say?" she asked.
Opal turned the card over and then gave Miranda a big smile.
"The Sun," she exclaimed. "The Sun represents joy; happiness; success; contentment… Good things are coming."
"It's going to get better?" Miranda asked.
"It is going to get better than it has ever been. This is the most positive card you can get. You are on a journey away from all the bad things of the past to having a very happy ending…" Opal tapped the Temperance card again. "Maybe you all will."
"And will it be really true?"
"My powers have rarely failed me." said Opal. "Sometimes I can misinterpret the signs, but right here I have never seen a clearer reading. You and your family are heading into good things. You just have to help them get there."
Miranda nodded her head.
"I can do that." she said firmly.
"We can do that!" agreed AJ.
…