The Adventures of Zoe Miller and the Paranormal Detective Agency

Chapter 1 The Fool

“I cannot stay in here my whole shift,” I think out loud. “Why didn’t I just call off?”

Looking in the mirror at myself, I definitely am not a sight for sore eyes. Smoothing out my dark brown curls and putting it in my infamous messy bun is always my go-to on days like this. This is my fourth shift in a row and it’s starting to show. But I can’t hide in the bathroom forever...I slowly trudge out to my unit.

“Ms. Miller...Ms. Miller so good to see you this evening,” laughs Meka. Meka James has been my best friend since high school. We went to college together and have been ride-or-die ever since. Meka, or “Meeks'' as I like to call her, is a little more outspoken than me, a real risk taker. She has a good heart and she means well. We had many adventures during our friendship. Somehow, I don’t think we are quite done yet.

“Ms. James...likewise,” I laugh.

“So Zoe, four shifts in a row? What’s the OT for? Are we going shoe or bag shopping?”

“Uh no. I just...working is better than sitting at home,” I tell her.

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“Ok, time for a med room confessional,” she says as Meka pulls me down the hall.

“Meka! I have to see my patients!” “Just give me five mins ma’am...”

Once settled in the med room, Meka confronts me. “Girl how long has he been gone?”

“About 4 weeks now,” I say. Even though Stephen cheated on me and splitting up is for the best, I still have the urge to cry every time I think about this man. We were together for four years. That’s a long time. My heart is aching; it’s been about four weeks but...I need more time.

“Bitch, back to reality!” Meka is frantically waving her manicured nails in my face.

“Oh sorry,” I say, wiping tears away. “Girl, you can’t be doing all this in here.”

“Well, you’re the one that had to talk right now!” I said back.

“Yes, because I have something on my heart and I need to tell you before we get busy and people start dying and admissions start rolling in.”

“Now what’s that?” I laugh.

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“Well girl... I went out with Tina last Friday while you were crying your eyes out and we went to see this psychic on Canal street.” Here comes the eye roll. Me rolling my eyes. “Zoe...I knew you were gonna do that.” We both laugh. “Anywhoo...she read me girl, and I feel like she is too on point!”

“Meka you want me to see a psychic?”

“Yes I do!” She cries out. “And a therapist ok! You gotta get it together girl. I hate seeing you like this. Life is not over and you will meet someone else. You are beautiful, smart, and worth the trouble. Why you don’t see it, I’ll never know.”

I’m struggling to understand this myself. But honestly all my life, I never felt like I was any of those things. To many people telling me I wasn’t. And meeting men isn’t the problem. I have yet to have true love. Maybe the love I want doesn’t even exist. “Ok Meka I’ll think about it,” I tell her.

“Oh, you better do more than that honey,” she says as she slides me the psychic’s card. “Now back to saving lives.”

Something about knowing you're off the next day makes your shift go by easier. We breeze through the next 11.5 hours like it was nothing. I’m grateful for it. These last few weeks have been rough to say the least.

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Pulling in my driveway is my biggest peace. I love my little house. I worked really hard to make it cozy. Now that Stephen is gone, it’s just me and Villain, my all black Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix. He’s got one brown eye and one green one. Lovable but different. Just like me.

As soon as Villain hears me turn the key, he’s barreling down the stairs like I don’t hear him. He slides into the living room and plops on the floor. “Sir”! I know you have been on my bed!” He rolls on his back and looks up playfully at me as if to say are you sure? I pat his belly. “I'm positive.” With a yelp he rolls over and licks my face. “Ok dude! Out you go!” He runs out the sliding glass door to fight with the leaves.

Plopping down in my bed, I think an extra warm shower and a fresh pair of PJs is just what the doctor ordered. I’m also glad I took Meka’s advice and asked our manager for a few days off. I’m supposed to be rejuvenating myself. It feels like bereavement.

Bang, Bang, Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! I hear someone pounding at my door, then the doorbell. “All right!” I scream as I sit up in bed. I get myself together and run downstairs. Not even a full three hours of sleep! I open the door and it’s Jeff, my loveable but needing to retire mailman.

“Hey Ms. Zoe!” He greets me cheerfully. 4

“Jeff, you know I work nights and I’m so tired,” I whine.

“I know Ms. Zoe, but I have a package for your neighbors in care of you.”

“But Jeff, they moved. I don’t know where they went.”

“Well...” Jeff scratches what is left of the hair on his head. “Technically they have it delivered to you so you can keep it.” Before I can protest further; Jeff is off my porch and headed back to his truck. Without looking back he yells, “The Misses is making meatloaf tonight and I can’t be late!”

Well now I’m scratching my head. Why would they have a package sent here when they moved? Maybe it was just bad timing. My neighbors the Donovan’s were a little odd to say the least. A husband and wife couple with a strong interest in the occult. They were both professors at the University. I used to chat with the wife. Peter was always off doing research. Rose, his wife, was a pretty redhead with fair skin. She was very kind and soft spoken. She had tea for every ailment; they worked, too. I wish she was here now and had tea for a broken heart.

I sit down at my dining room table and open the box. Inside is a smaller black box with what looks

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like gold engravings. I can’t even explain the design. It’s so intricate and beautiful. Inside the packing box is an old folded piece of paper. Written on the paper:

Zoe,

You are magic. Even at your most broken. Everything that is meant for you will find you. Even the love you seek. But first, you must open your mind and your heart.

Love, R.D.

I open the smaller black box. Inside was the most beautiful deck of cards I have ever seen. I think these are tarot cards, but nothing like I’ve ever seen before. There’s even gold on the cards. But there was no name. So I couldn’t Google it. The Donovan’s just kind of disappeared, so I couldn’t talk to them.

All of a sudden, I hear Villain scratching at the back door. I get up and let him in, and running past me in a whirlwind, he knocks the deck out of my hand. All the cards end up face down except for one. It’s a young man looking up to the sky, walking but definitely not paying attention to where he was going, a dog by his side. They both seem happy. My thoughts immediately wander to Villain and me. What does this mean, my friend?

Later that night and after two glasses of wine, in my self-pity I call Meka.

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“Hey mama, what’s up?” I tell her about what happened earlier. Meka always has an answer for everything. “Sounds like Mrs. Donovan knew you were a hot miserable mess and sent you the cards to cheer you up.”

“But Meeks, I don’t know how to read these things. So what am I supposed to do?”

Then in unison we say, “The psychic on Canal Street!”

“Z, you can take them to her. She can help you. She told me I was going to meet a handsome stranger that would sweep me off my feet, OK? So, I’m in Just Books earlier and the janitor literally sweeps me off my feet! Like he was sweeping and tripped me up with the broom. We are going on a date tonight and he is fine! So trust me!”

“Umm bye Meeks.” I hang up the phone. I think about the note. I think this wine is getting to me. I drift off to sleep.

As I sleep, my body starts to get warm and almost tingly. I fling the covers off and lay on my back. All of a sudden, I felt a deep kiss on my lips. It feels so real. I try to open my eyes, but I can’t. Stephen? Did he come back? I’m trying to wake up, but then I start to feel hands run down my neck and gently caress me. I feel almost a heat or electricity coming from his fingertips. I arch my back and I can feel

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myself breathing almost panting...his hands go lower.

Who is this? It feels so real. Lower. Till they grab my thighs and part my legs. His hands move inside me. I can still feel his electric touch like it’s under my skin. In my veins. I’m panting deeper now. He smells amazing like mahogany, teakwood, and Oh my God! My phone rings. I wake up completely disheveled and sweaty and soaked to say the least...I let the phone go to voicemail. One thing for sure is that wasn’t Stephen.

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Chapter 2

The High Priestess

Sitting at my dining room table again – which is now labeled the situation room, because we have a situation. I have always been a “by the book” straight forward explanation for everything type of person. I believe what I can feel and see. And I usually don’t dream so...about last night... what the hell?

Meka would tell me that I’m just overthinking as usual because I’m a habitual over thinker and I just had a freaky ass dream because I’m horny. So no need to call her. The latter would also be correct. I mean Stephen is no slouch in the bed and neither am I, but he never made me feel like that! I get goosebumps just thinking about my dream again.

Before I have to reupholster my dining room chair or take another cold shower, I get up to take Villain out. I go out into the backyard with him and watch him play with the leaves for a bit then I look over at Donavan's old house. How did Rose know what I was going through? It wasn’t like we were friends. I never talked to her about anything personal. I’m sure they both heard our arguments a time or two? But reading her note seemed like she knew what I was missing, what I needed. And somehow this little deck of cards was gonna change my life?

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I decided I should try to find the Donavan’s at the university. Even though they moved, they could still teach there. Villain and I head inside. As I rush upstairs to get dressed, my phone rings. Reluctantly, I answer. “Hey momma.”

“Hey baby. I was worried about you, that's why I called you earlier.”

“Yeah; I was in the middle of something ma. I couldn’t answer.”

“Well, I’m worried about you. I think you should come home.”

“Because I didn’t answer the phone, ma?” I ask, a little outraged.

“No, because you live in Maryland alone and you don’t have anybody there besides Meka and...I know how much Stephen meant to you.”

I sigh. “I just...Momma I'm fine. I'm going to be okay and I can take care of myself. I’m 35 years old. I should be able to handle a breakup.”

“Two weeks before your wedding though? And I found out about the baby on space book.”

“Facebook, ma!” I correct her.

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“You know what I meant! I’m so sorry, and how could he! Why would you keep that from me?”

“Mamma,” I say, fighting back tears. “I thought we could work it out.”

“But not only did he cheat, she is expecting. I have no words...”

I have to stop before I get too choked up. “Momma, I have to go.” I say my goodbye and hang up.

The drive to the university gives me some time to think. No music, just the hum of the car and my thoughts to accompany me.

My sister Chastity told me that when your heart is hurting, you have to get mad. I am so mad, and sad, and hurt, and lonely. But I have got to push it way down and carry on. “It will get easier,” I say out loud. “It will get easier.”

My visit to the campus turns out to be pretty uneventful. Turns out the Donavan’s left to finish some research projects overseas, according to one of their teaching assistants. They would be gone for quite some time. She didn’t have any forwarding information.

So next stop...the psychic on Canal Street.

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I always like to visit the Flats. The Flats consist of Canal Street and about two streets over on either side. The Flats is the go to spot after dark for the hottest clubs, and many shops, boutiques, and flea markets line the streets during the day. I pull the card out of my purse and head towards 56 west Canal Street. At the end of the street is a brick house turned business. It’s tiny and charming. Not what I expected.

There is a sign on the window that says, “Readings by Ms. Bea” plus a sign that says “Come on in we’re open” dangling on the front door. So, that’s just what I do. As I walk in, I can smell the faint hint of sage and palo santo. There is a very eclectic look to the place, but it is so inviting. A soft white shag rug covers most of the hardwood floor while there are big multi-color throw pillows tossed about. To the right of the entrance is a receptionist's desk. Out of the back hallway enters one of the prettiest older women I have ever seen. She’s about my height with a deep caramel completion and long silver braid swinging behind her. Her long bright turquoise dress was a welcome sight for this dreary fall weather.

“Hello,” she says. “I am Beatrice Cardoso. You may call me Ms. Bea.” Before I can speak, she tilts her head to the side and says hmmm thoughtfully. “I usually let people ask just one question, but it seems you have quite a few my dear.” She moves

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around me and locks her door. She flips the sign from open to closed. “Follow me.”

She leads me down her hallway to a darkened room with only the flickering lights of a few candles. There is a table and two chairs. On the table burns incense. She tells me to have a seat as she sits and begins to give me the rundown: I am not paying her; she is receiving an offering and not to put the money in her hand. Place it in the bowl on the table. Things can get emotional in here but do not cry. Crying over your cards is bad luck. She goes on to say she will not tell me anything bad that she sees without my permission.

Next, she hands me the deck and asks me to shuffle them. As I shuffle, she says for me to think about my three questions. I do so and hand the deck back to her. She places the first card down. Five cups. Loss. “You lost your love recently?”

“Yes,” I say.

“But he wronged you. So it was his loss.” Next card. Three of Swords. “A broken heart. So your relationship ended and you feel as though your heart is breaking, but the truth is you have been looking for love for quite some time. Rather, your love has been looking for you.”

“I’m confused.” I say. She continues to read for me. She tells me I have a job of service and I can be

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intuitive as well, but childhood trauma has me on the fritz. That good fortune is on its way for me and my cup will soon run over. I guess I’m about to be booked and busy, I think to myself. Then she flips over the last card. A king. “Oh honey,” she says. She taps the last card. “King of cups. He is coming.” She claps her hands.

“Who?” I ask.

“Your twin flame.”

“My twin flame? Is that like a soulmate?”

“Oh no, your twin flame is your life partner.” She studies the cards for a moment. Then she says, “you haven’t been lucky in love because you have a true love, a divine mate. You two were here before, have come back many times, but...this time you didn’t come back together. I’m not sure why...” She taps her chin. “Tell me, have you felt out of sorts lately, anxious and not sleeping much?”

“Yes, but I have been going through a lot.”

“Have you had any dreams lately?'' she asks with a smirk.

How did she know? “Yes,” I say blushing.

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She grabs my hands. “Well honey, he’s soon to show up. So you best do the work so you can receive him.”

Do the work? I thought. I have way more questions now. “What is a twin flame? What work do I have to do?”

Ms. Bea takes off her glasses. “Some believe when that we were born, we were born with one soul connected with our life partner our soul split in two. We don’t meet the ones that we are destined to be with until we are truly ready. So look into yourself... see what work needs to be done on your end. Now...I use my tarot cards as a tool to help me clarify what I’m seeing psychically. You two didn’t come back together. Maybe in your past lives he didn’t complete his life’s work. This reading is about you, so I can’t answer that.”

“So how will I know it’s him?” I ask.

“Trust me, you will know. It’s a feeling like no other.” She shifts her gaze to her picture mantle. There is a black and white photo of a soldier there. He is handsome, tall with dark hair. His name tag reads Cardoso.

“Ms. Bea...” I start. “I have two more questions.”

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She stares back at me, almost teary eyed. “I know child, but the last two questions pertain to what’s in your bag, so let’s have a look see shall we?”

Again, how did she know? Still in shock, I reach in my bag and pull out the small black card box.

Ms. Bea looks to be in horror and amazement. She reaches for the box then draws her hands back quickly.

“Where did you get that?” I give her the rundown about my neighbors and how I came to acquire the box. I ask her if she is familiar with the Donovan’s. Ms. Bea says she is quite familiar with them, and they have been around a long time. “But that isn’t important right now. Do you know what you have there? The Taṅka naṭcattirattiṉ taḷam.”

I stare blankly. She continues. “In our language, that is the “deck of the golden star.” Some don’t believe it even exists. The golden star is supposed to be the very first tarot deck ever fashioned. No one knows who made it, but there are a lot of theories. You can’t read the writing because it’s written in Tamil, the first known language to man. That’s real gold etched in those cards. They are supposed to be magic. More powerful than the ones we use. I must warn you, my child. These are nothing to play with. They must be passed on to you. Not bought or sold. They only can be touched by the owner. They were given to you so now you

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have control of the deck. As long as you haven’t started to play, you should be okay.”

“Play?” I ask, confused.

“Yes,” she says. “Tarot started out as a card game, but then through time became a divination or fortune telling tool, If you will. Though this deck is not said to work that way. There are 36 cards in the deck. You and only you must choose a card. On the last day, your fate is chosen.”

“My fate? But you just read me my cards.”

“I know I did. I am certain of what I see. Those things will happen. But this, I cannot see. How this will end, I cannot say. All I know is you have to choose a card a day and you must play. Others who have come across this deck have suffered grave consequences for not continuing the game. The nerve of Rose. I’m sure you will see her again in due time.”

My mind is completely blown. I’m more confused than when I came in. I tell Ms. Bea that I didn’t play yet, but I had the cards in my hand when Villain bumped into me. The cards fell and I described the card that fell out. “The fool,'' she says. “The card of New beginnings.” She asks if I chose my card yet for the day. I shake my head. I shuffle the deck and place them face down on the table. I pull the top card.

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The High Priestess. Seems fitting.

“And so it begins,” says Ms. Bea. “And so It begins...”

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Chapter 3

The King of Cups

It’s been a few days since I went to see Ms. Bea, and I'm still reeling from all the information. Now that I had touched the cards even inadvertently (thanks Villain), I had to play. I have never been one to be superstitious, but with everything else going wrong, how could things get any worse? Plus, I really didn’t want to see what would happen if I did not play.

The first card that fell was The Fool. Ms. Bea said that things are gonna take a turn in my life, a time for new beginnings. We shall see. Then there was the High Priestess. I'm assuming that would have been my meeting with Ms. Bea. She had also given me a cheat sheet so that I would know what the cards meant. 34 more days left.

The next week was pretty uneventful. I would flip a card and I would write down the day, the card, and the meaning. I pulled a card about a celebration – the three of cups it was – and I got invited to a birthday party. Nothing too exciting. I also was taking time to look inward. To see how I could better myself and change my mindset. I’ve had so many disappointments in my life that I just came to accept them, not realizing that I’ve been in a completely negative headspace. I think this is why I haven’t been successful in many areas of my life.

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When you think negative, you create negative. So I’ve really been trying to turn that around. I started working out and I even found someone to talk to. Not the therapist that Meka wanted me to see, but surprisingly enough, Ms. Bea is quite a good listener. She is a very spiritual person and easy to talk to. She’s also helping me to meditate.

I think about the next 20 plus days left. So much can happen. So much can go right. So much can go wrong, too. Am I really about to keep doing this? You know what? “Fuck it!” I say out loud. What do I have to lose if keep going? So I shuffle the deck once again and place it face down on my dining room table. Taking a deep breath, I turn over the first card. The King of Cups.

You have to be shitting me. I don’t even have to refer to the sheet. He is here. This has to be the card for him whomever he is. I guess the universe is saying time waits for no one and neither does Prince Charming. Ms. Bea said that I would meet him when I was ready. I am so not ready.

I decide to approach the day just like any other day. I take Villain for a walk, work out, eat and shower. Take time to meditate. Run some errands and then head back home. I try not to think about the card I pulled. I tell myself I’ll know who he is when I see him, so every guy I run into I won’t think he’s the one.

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I decide to take a nap before work. Plopping down on the couch, I doze off quicker than I thought I would. I feel myself being held in a deep embrace. It feels warm and inviting. I also smell the faint scent of mahogany and teakwood. I have an intense feeling of being safe and secure. Any anxieties I had faded away as I drifted off into a deeper sleep.

My blaring alarm wakes me up just in time to get ready for work. Usually when I wake up, I don’t even feel refreshed. This time, I feel like I can conquer the world or complete my 12 hour shift without having to hide in the bathroom at least. The drive into work isn’t that bad, either. Meka texts me that she’s headed in herself. At least if the shift is bad, we can struggle through it together.

I’m halfway through my shift and I’m not even thinking about hiding in the bathroom at all. And it’s not because I’m a bad nurse or I think I can’t handle my patients. I had a really hard time getting over Stephen, so some days it gets really overwhelming. These past two weeks I haven’t even thought about him much though.

Our nursing supervisor usually rounds at the same time every night: 1 AM. Tonight, she’s on the floor early. I’m in the med room doing our narcotic count with Sharon when Meka bursts in the med room. “Ladies, y’all need to come to the nurses station ASAP!”

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Sharon and I look at each other and say, “it must be food!” With a laugh, we head out. Miss Sloane, our night shift supervisor, is at the desk in all her splendor. She definitely did not update her wardrobe with the times. She still wears tights and knee length skirts. Plus she still wears her cap! She takes old school to a whole other level but, she is probably the only person I’d let touch me in this place besides Sharon or Meka.

“Everyone, I want you to meet our new night shift resident, Dr. Andrew Torrez,” Miss Sloane says. Dr. Torrez slowly walks up to the desk from behind Miss Sloane.

I am still chit chatting with Sharon when Meka taps my hand. “Turn around, bitch!” she whispers.

I turn around, saying, “what's the big”...and as I turn around, I meet eyes with the most handsome man I have ever seen. How can I even describe him? He’s around 5 feet 10 or 11 inches. He’s wearing scrubs under his white coat, and I can tell he is not overly muscular, but still in good shape. He has the most beautiful smooth almond complexion, crowned by dark curly hair that’s neatly tapered. His beard is full and dark, and he has a light hint of freckles across his face. Just like me. Hazel eyes. His lips are so full. I touch mine. I exhale. Could he be? No way! But I feel so....I can’t explain it...

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The sound of Miss Sloane’s shrill voice brings me back to reality. “Dr. Torrez is new here, from our Detroit Network of hospitals. He is finishing his residency here. Let’s be nice to him, okay? His pager is 5640.”

Dr. Torrez says a brief hello and that it’s nice to meet us. A few of the nurses clamor over to him and begin the whole eye-batting 21 question game. I look away. I walk off to find a computer to check for new orders. I look back and Dr. Torrez is staring at me. He quickly looks away. I turn back around and smile. I wonder if he felt the same thing?

There's about 3 hours left in our shift, and Meka has been busy all night. When she finally has a chance to take a quick break, she slides into the chair next to me. “Girl!” Meka yells. “What do you think about Dr. Fine?”

“I thought his name was Dr. Torrez?” I answer slyly. “Oh Zoe!” Meka laughs.

“I think he is very handsome. I hope he is as nice as he is attractive.”

“Well you’re about to find out! I had to page him about 114. I need an order for pain management, so he is coming back to assess the patient first.”

“Why do I need to find out?” I shrug. 23

“Because I saw the way you were looking at him, and I definitely saw the way he was looking at you! I was waiting for y’all to go all 50 Shades Freed at the nurse’s station!” she laughs. “

Hush!” I laugh. “Nah, he is very attractive, but there's no way he is interested in me.”

“There you go, always down playing you self! You're gorgeous! Girl here he comes!”

We face the computer and stare intently as he approaches. “Hey, someone paged me about the patient in 114?” Even his voice is sexy. Deep and strong. I keep staring at this damn computer, but I feel his eyes on me.

Meka perks up. “Umm I paged you, Doctor.”

“Oh you can call me Drew. My Dad is Dr. Torrez and that makes me feel old and stuffy.”

They both laugh. She takes him to the room, and then he comes back to the desk and types in the order. Meka thanks him. He walks by me and I smell the faint scent of mahogany and teakwood and some sort of musk. The same scent I smell in these dreams I’ve been having!

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Drew stops, turns back around and says, “I’m sorry, I met everyone else on the floor, may I have the pleasure of meeting you?”

“Zoe,” I say shyly. “My name is Zoe Miller.” “Nice to meet you Zoe. Do you need anything?” “No my group is okay tonight.”

“All right, I’m headed back down to the bunker.” The bunker is just the nickname for the room where the residents stay. He walks off our floor.

Meka stares at me bewildered. “Girl, it’s something with y’all!”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t put my finger on it, but staring at y’all is getting me all hot and bothered.” She starts fanning herself. Meka can be so dramatic. But she’s also right. I can’t explain it either, but I definitely feel drawn to him. I wonder if he feels it too?

I try to finish the rest of my shift, but I can’t stop thinking about Dr. Torrez. I definitely need to call Ms. Bea when I wake up.

Meka and I are casually walking down to the employee exit, and as we reach the door, who should be standing there but Dr. Torrez. He’s

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talking with one of the physical therapists from another unit. Meka and I slide past both the gentlemen to go out of the door. Andrew reaches for the door to hold it open for us, and I say thank you. Andrew excuses himself from the conversation and quickly catches up to us. “Thank you ladies for being so pleasant. My first night here wasn’t so bad.”

Meeks belts out you’re welcome, doctor, as he wedges himself between us. He asks if we know of any good coffee shops nearby. “Oh, there’s a great one by Zoe’s house,” Meka says. “I'm sure she would love to show you. Sorry, I gotta run!”

If looks could kill, my BFF would definitely be in the second floor morgue right now! Andrew turns to me and says, “only if it’s okay with you, Ms. Miller.”

I pause for a second...”yes.” Why not? Andrew follows me out of the parking garage as I start driving to Mike’s Cafe. It’s about 15 minutes from my house and as usual, it’s bustling with people, particularly medical students from the university and employees from our hospital. I get out to walk him in and give him a few suggestions of the menu.

As he joins the line to order, I say, “well I’ll see you around,” and I turn to go. He walks in front of me. “Whoa, wait! I thought maybe we could have a cup together? I don’t know anyone here, and maybe

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you can give me the scoop on this town? Will you sit with me?”

Why is this man so adorable? Why can’t I tell him no? “Sure,” I say reluctantly. We grab a seat in my favorite section – a table by a row of bookcases. Having a cup of coffee turned into a two and a half hour conversation. That two and a half hour conversation turned into me agreeing to go on a date when I had some free time.

Later, as we said goodbye and as I walked to my car, I had the feeling. I knew that he was the one. So now what?

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Chapter 4 The Star

Since the day in the coffee shop, Dr. Torrez and I have been talking every day and spending more time together. Even though it’s only been a few days, it feels more like old friends reconnecting. The last time we talked, we spent at least four hours on the phone as we got to know one another. He is so easy to talk to and being around him is very calming to my spirit. He says he feels at home when he is with me. I really have to control myself when I am around him. The intense physical attraction I have for him is like nothing I have ever felt before, to the point I’m almost ashamed. But it’s more than sex or lust that I want...I want to be near him, close to him, connected to him. I can’t talk about this to Meeks – would she even understand? I can’t even stand to look at him. Sometimes I feel like he thinks I am so weird...I’m afraid that if he looks me in my eyes, he will see how I really feel. And what do I do if he doesn’t feel the same way? Stephen truly broke my heart. I didn’t think I had anything left to give. Now I finally understand what love at first sight feels like.

But this all seems to be happening so fast! “Ummm, hello? Earth to Zoe!”

I must have done one of my famous “Zoe zone outs” again. “Sorry Meeks!”

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“Girl, how am I supposed to do your makeup and you just blank out here with your mouth open?” We both laugh hysterically. Meeks gets herself together and says, “please don’t do that on your date tonight.” We laugh again.

“I gotta get myself together or I’m gonna be late,” I tell her.

Finally done with laughing, makeup, lashes, and getting dressed, I’m ready for my evening.

“Zoe! Bitch you look good!”

“Aww Meeks, thanks.” I finally found a black dress that I liked, and Meeks had a pair of killer heels she let me borrow. I decided to get a haircut and color too. Why not? And I’m glad I did. I feel sexy and rejuvenated. I give myself a pep talk in the bathroom, and I ask Villain how I look. He gives me two yelps and licks my knee. I’m assuming he approves.

Soon I get a text from Dr. Torrez that he will be pulling up in about five minutes. My heart flutters. I give Meeks the biggest hug and say bye to Villain. I walk out just as his car pulls up. As he pulls into my driveway, my phone rings. It’s Ms. Bea! I quickly tell her we are going on a date, and she asked me what card I pulled today. I tell her I got a card with a naked woman kneeling by the water with stars all around her.

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Ms. Bea chuckles. “Well that’s the star card honey. I hope you got plenty of rest, because you’re gonna need it.” Confused, I hung up the phone. If I had only known...

Dr. Torrez rolls the window down. “You look amazing!” He parks and steps out of the car to come around and open my door. The sad thing is I’m taken aback because I’m just not used to this. Is that not the most pitiful thing ever? I don’t know how to respond to someone treating me right. I’m about to open my door when quickly he reaches around me and opens the door handle. “Please don’t,” he says, “my Grandmother would kill me!” I let him open the door and I sit down. I feel like tonight is going to be special. I truly had no idea...

We go to a restaurant in the Falls area. In the restaurant, we can see the river fall through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. I’ve always wanted to go to this restaurant. How did he even know? Once inside, our waiter takes us to a table by the back so we can see the falls in the moonlight. It’s so beautiful. I wonder what else he had in store?

Dinner was amazing. We laughed and talked about everything and nothing. We decide to get ice cream at the parlor around the corner from the restaurant. It is such a beautiful warm night, so we sit on the bench out front and finish our ice cream.

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“Zoe I had so much fun tonight,” he says as he scoops up a bit of his ice cream, bringing it to his lips. Why does he look so sexy doing that?

“Me too, Good Doctor!” I laugh.

“Let’s go down by the falls,” he suggests.

Once we get down closer to the river, it’s cooler, but still comfortable. My feet are starting to hurt so I kick my shoes off.

“Are you ready to go then?” he asks, grabbing my shoes after tossing his ice-cream in the garbage.

“I’m never ready to go when I’m with you,” I say, looking down. I don’t know why it made me so nervous to say that.

Drew wraps his arms around me. “I feel the same way.” I never felt as safe and secure as I did in that moment. “Zoe,” he says.

“Yes?”

“Will you come home with me tonight?” “Of course,” I say.

“Will you spend the night with me?”

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Coyly I say, “Now why would you want me to spend the night with you?”

“Because I want to make love to you.” He didn’t have to ask me twice.

Once we got back to his house, he helps me out of the car and up his walkway. He takes out his keys and slowly opens the door. Once inside, I cannot believe my eyes. It seems like every room has candles and rose petals in it. He must have planned this. No one had ever done that for me before. Not even Stephen. It was always me coming up with ideas.

Candles and rose pedals line the stairs as he leads me up to his room. When we get to his room it’s more of the same. All I can do is put my face in my hands. “Zoe? Are you ok?” he asks.

“Yes! Yes! I just...this is so beautiful. I never had anyone do this for me before.”

“Do you think you don’t deserve it? Zoe from the first moment I saw you, I knew that I wanted you. That I needed you. I can’t explain it. Like we are attached or connected in some way. You're beautiful on the inside and out, and I just want to show you that. You never really told me what happened in your last relationship, but when you do talk about it, it seems like it caused you a lot of

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pain. Let me take it away. But if this is too soon, I understand.”

He takes my hands down from my face. He kisses my forehead, and then my lips. His mouth is so full and soft. I don’t want him to stop. I pull away from him long enough to say that I’m okay.

I wanted this from the moment I saw him, too. He moves me closer to the bed. He undresses me and then begins to undress himself. I am staring in amazement at his body, such a perfect silhouette in the moonlight. Laying me down on the bed, he begins to kiss me and caress all of me up and down. He takes both of my arms and raises them above my head so I can’t move them. With one hand gripping my arms, he takes his other hand and slides himself inside me.

I can barely contain myself as I begin to follow his rhythm. The throbbing between my legs intensifies as he pushed deeper inside me. Every thrust sends waves of electricity through my body. My whole body begins to ache as I feel the intense pressure of wanting to release. He can feel it too, but he won’t let me. “Not yet,” he whispers in my ear. The rocking and pulling and pushing of our love making is too intense for me to bear. My whole body began to pulsate as he turns and positions me on top of him.

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He stays in sync with me, matching me thrust for thrust until I reached my peak my legs began to quiver as I let myself go. Drenching the sheets...I never had an orgasm of this intensity before with my whole body while tears roll down my face. He gently kisses my cheeks and wipes my tears.

We make love like that for what seemed like hours. I don’t even remember falling asleep, but I wake up in Andrew's arms. Both of us are completely spent and disheveled from last night. Slipping out from underneath him, I find my way to his bathroom. I made love to this man with my whole entire being, and now I feel as though I’m completely intoxicated by him. Like he’s in my veins. It’s not lust, though. I feel connected to him. What if he doesn’t feel the same way?

I turn the shower on and get in. Standing there, I put my face in my hands and let the water run over me as I try to not think of how this could all could all go wrong. I hear the shower door open. Andrew gets in and puts his arms around me. Any anxiety I began to have fades. Sensing this, he turns me around and kisses me on my forehead. Grabbing the soap, he begins to lather me up from head to toe. When he gets between my legs, he drops the soap and puts one finger inside me. My body begins to ache as he inserts another. “I can’t take it anymore!” I say.

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“Yes you can,'' he says as he bites my lip gently he begins pushing deeper and faster until I feel like I might explode. Then he picks me up and slides me on top of him. I didn’t think I had anything left but he didn't stop until we both climaxed. He holds me tight and moves under the shower head.

“So strong,” I say breathlessly. I put my head on his shoulder as we let the water run down over us.

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Chapter 5

Two of Pentacles

After my night with Dr. Torrez, I’m full of mixed emotions. I am always filled with mixed emotions. I am also a habitual over-thinker. Now after my date turned X-rated slumber party, I’m feeling pretty good. It’s been a few days, and nothing had changed between Drew and I, but somehow fear and paranoia set in. Is it insecurity? Fear of my failed past relationships? Are we even in a relationship? I’m so deep in my rambling thoughts that I almost don’t hear the phone ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey Z it’s me, Stephen. Can we talk?” I’m completely frozen. Why was he calling me? Why now? And what’s worse is that a small part of me is happy to hear from him. “Hello? Can you hear me?”

“Yes, Yes. What do you want?”

“Well, what kind of greeting is that, Zoe?”

“We haven’t talked in weeks,” I finished, “so no need to start now.”

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“Hey, please don’t hang up, I just want you to listen just hear me out. I know you’re probably still mad at me.”

“Still mad? If you don’t get the fuck off of my phone!” I scream.

Click.

Still mad? Oh, cheat on me and get her pregnant? And I find out a few weeks before we tie the knot! Nah I’m not mad at all!

Just then my phone vibrates, and I receive a long text: I know you’re hurt and mad and yes, I cheated, but it wasn’t because of you. it was my issue. I guess karma is paying me back now because she told me she needed to come to clean and the baby might not be mine. I just wanted to do the right thing. Because of the baby. I know that may be hard for you to wrap your head around because I hurt you in the process. I was confused. I put myself under a lot of pressure. I thought that I was not ready for commitment. I confided in someone else and it went too far. I was gonna end it and I was going to tell you. But then I found out Angela was pregnant. So I thought being with her for the baby was the right thing to do. I fucked up big time, I lost the love of my life, what can I do to get you back? I'll spend the rest of my life making up for you.

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I sat there in silence, replaying the whole situation as I read his words. Angela was a friend of one of our mutual friends. We met early on in our relationship, going out on group dates. I noticed she seemed to be kind of sweet on Stephen, but he always brushed her off, never fed into any of her advances. Around this time, our wedding date was approaching, and we seemed to be bumping heads a lot. He started staying out late and not being so available. I always prided myself in giving him his space and privacy. But his changed behavior sent me into full investigation mode.

One night, when he came home wasted from hanging with the fellas, I took his phone and went through it. When I went through his text messages, I didn’t see anything odd. But when I went through his social media accounts, I was able to find out more than I bargained for.

They had been talking for months. He would complain about me working night shifts, and she would talk about how she would never leave him at home alone if he was with her. I had a momentary flash of anger as I read the messages. I couldn’t believe my eyes. All this was going on while we planned our wedding!

My girlfriends and my mother all wanted me to confront her, but for what? I wasn’t in a relationship with her, I was in a relationship with him. He should have known better. I demanded that he stop seeing

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her and that we go to counseling. By this time, we only had 2 months until our wedding. Everything was getting better and appeared to be going as planned, until we were at a weekend getaway where we planned to get back to ourselves. His phone rang, and after he answered it, he stood motionless and dropped the phone. I knew it was something serious. I was thinking about the death of a relative. Instead it was the death of us. She told him she was pregnant.

Any shred of dignity and grace left my body as I tried to pull this man limb from limb. “How could you!?” I growled. “How could you?” I wept.

And that was the end of us. The physical end. But mentally, it would still take some time. Being apart from him was really difficult at first. It’s so weird how the heart and the mind work. He cheated on me, broke my heart. Embarrassed me. But yet some parts of me felt as though I should let him come back, try again to work it out. I was lonely. I think I had just gotten used to someone being there, and that’s really what I craved.

Meeks would tell me the best way to get over someone was to get under someone else. But I didn’t want that. I wanted to be in love. I wanted equal give and take. Am I ready to be in a committed relationship again? No, because I am still healing from this hurt. But I do believe that when the time is right, I’ll have the love I deserve.

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But...just like clockwork, when things are going good, something or someone comes along to derail you.

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Chapter 6

The Queen of Wands

Drew and I have been spending a lot of time together. I couldn’t be happier. It’s getting increasingly difficult to hide whatever’s going on between us at work. I feel like I’m back to my old self and it’s showing at work as well.

Meeks is all for it. She’s just happy that I’m happy. She likes the “new old me,” as she says.

“Baby, whatever the good Doctor is doing to you, tell him to keep doing it, OK! You're just glowing in here, girl! We could turn all the lights out here, light bright!” she says when she sees me next at work.

“Oh hush!” I say back to her.

“What are we being in-serviced about today ladies? How two nurses are better than one?” Jordan says as he playfully puts his arms around us. Jordan is one of the nurses on our floor, who also has a reputation for being a ladies’ man, but he is also the ultimate work husband. I think he has a crush on Meka too, but she’s never given him the time of day.

“Jordan, you couldn’t handle one of us on your best day,'' Meeks says.

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“Well Meka, you can always come over after work and find out,” he says, staring at her longingly.

“Welp, let me go find something to do,” I say as I awkwardly I turn to walk away to let them set their appointment. From the looks of it, she just might give in this time.

I hate staying over for a day shift in service. I’m always so tired after, and it’s a real struggle to drive home. I decide to grab some coffee real quick from the cafeteria before the meeting starts. As I walk into the cafeteria, I see Andrew sitting at one of the tables with another resident. Female. Now normally I wouldn’t have given it much thought, but something about their body language made me feel uncomfortable. As she stands up to leave, she kisses Drew on his cheek.

As he turns to watch her walk away, he sees me. He waves me over. As I walk to the table, I create a whole conversation in my mind with several possible outcomes. My habitual over thinking goes right into hyper drive. “Hey,” he says warmly.

“Hey,” I say. He asks me to sit, but I say I can’t because I have to get to my in service slash staff meeting. So then he says he’ll walk me back upstairs.

As we walk, he says, “I know you're probably wondering who that was, Zoe. That’s Michelle.

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She's a cardiology resident here. We went to school together and we used to date. Emphasis on used too. I think she still has a thing for me though,” he winked.

“Oh,” I say. I really didn’t know what else to say to that.

“Zoe, I know you’ve been through a lot and I never want to hurt you like that.” He looks at me intently like he wants to say more but he doesn’t. Instead he kisses me on my forehead and says that he has to go.

I quickly walk into the meeting and grab my seat on the other side of Meeks and give her the rundown of what happened. “Oh, hell naw!” she says.

“Meeks wait, maybe it’s just that and he’s being honest. Nothing for me to worry about, right?” At that moment, Michelle walks up to the podium and introduces herself to us all and begins the in- service. Meeks and I look at each other. What’s next? I wonder.

After the in-service, the hospital provides us with coffee and grab-and-go bags. I grab mine quickly as I’m definitely ready to go. I want to catch up with Meka, but she’s already headed out with Jordan. Maybe she finally decided to give in? In my haste to catch up with her, I accidentally bump in o Michelle. “I’m sorry, excuse me,” I say.

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“Oh that’s OK dear... wait, aren’t you one of Drew’s little friends?” she says with a smirk.

Little friends? Bitch. Wait. Whoa. I’m tripping. This is not even me. “Umm...” I really don’t know what to say. Just then, Andrew walks up and puts his arm around me. “Hey Chelly, this is Zoe. Zoe is one of the nurses on my Unit.”

“Nice to meet you,'' I say.

“Likewise. I hope you're treating my ex-fiancé well here,” she says as she quickly dashes off.

“Oh look at the time, gotta run!” I say as I try to leave Drew’s side.

“Zoe, don’t.” He stops me. “Yes, I was engaged to her, and I don’t know why I didn’t say it earlier, but there really is nothing to worry about.”

“I’m tired,” is all I could say.

“Me too. I’m signing out for the day. I’ll take you home.”

“What about my car?”

“You don’t need it, stick with me kid!” he says playfully as he walks me out the door. If he only knew...there’s really nowhere else I’d rather be.

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For Andrew to be so new to our city, he sure knows how to get around. He has a back route to everything. “Drew, where are we going?” I ask as he makes a new turn.

“Drew where are we going?” He mimics. “Quit your bellyaching and just ride. Or, as a matter of fact, take a nap. We’ll be there soon.”

After a quick stop for an overnight bag at my place, I did just that. I woke up to us driving up a winding road with a rather large cabin at the end of it. It was beautiful. The modern touches didn’t ruin the original architecture at all. “This is my family's cabin. I thought we could stay here for the weekend?” As I am shocked into silence, he adds, “You don’t like it huh?” He starts taking stuff out of the trunk, and then says oh well and starts putting it back.

“No! No! I love it! I want to stay Drew!”

“Oh, okay all right.” he laughs. “Well, you look around while I get us settled.”

I enter the cabin through the main door and make a left into the living room. One half of the living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, so I can see the lake from the north side of the house and to the East the immaculate landscape. I take my shoes off first. To the right of the living room is a study, but to me it was a mini-library floor-to-ceiling books and a

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moving staircase. The room smells like candles and old leather books. It reminds me of something out of a movie.

“I knew this would be your favorite spot.” He whispers in my ear.

The warmth of Andrew's words on my neck sends chills up my spine. I take a deep breath. “Yes, I love it.”

“Good, I knew you would like it. I spend a lot of time here.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m going to get dinner started,” he says as he makes his way toward the kitchen.

I’m going to take a shower...a cold one...

After dinner, we walk along the lake for a bit. Once the temperatures drop, we decide to head back in. Drew started a fire earlier while I made a pallet on the floor. Laying there by the fire, watching the waves brush against the shore is so peaceful. I sit up to get a better view of the lighthouse in the distance.

I see Drew’s reflection as he walks up behind me. He just got out of the shower so all he has on is a towel. “Zoe, take all your clothes off,” he commands.

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“Everything?” I ask. He nods and drops the towel. I remove my shirt and from behind me, he places both my hands on the glass of the window. I move to take my lounge shorts off and he quickly places my hands back on the glass. With his other hand he rips off my shorts. Kneeling behind me, he parts my legs with his knee and slides himself inside me. He pulls me by my hair back to him as we begin to move in sync in rhythm. He takes his knees and spreads me further apart while sliding deeper inside.

“Zoe, you feel so good,” he whispers in my ear. He picks me up and tosses me on the chaise end of the sectional. Then he turns me over on my stomach and lays on top of me. He starts to kiss and caress my neck and back, working his way down until he parts my legs. Then he slips his tongue inside...

We keep having sex off and on until sunrise. Sex with Andrew is euphoric. I have to believe he feels it too. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, and I don’t want it to stop.

Lying beside Andrew watching him sleep, my thoughts began to race. I shift my gaze to the round table where my bag sits. Inside is the box with the tarot cards. Should I tell him? All of it? He’s gonna think I’m nuts, clearly. But maybe not. I only have a few more cards left. Thank Goodness so it’s almost over. Ms. Bea didn’t tell me that I couldn’t tell anyone, and maybe talking to Drew about things

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might help. I really want to see where his head is at. Are we even on the same page?

I begrudgingly leave the bed and walk over to my bag, pulling the card for today. It’s a picture of a heart with three daggers piercing it. Well....This doesn’t look good at all...

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Chapter 7

Three of Swords

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty,” Drew says while gently kissing me on the forehead.

“I’m up I’m up!” I never actually went back to sleep. I just laid there, thinking about the cards. Everything was going so good between us.

“It’s time to go. I have to head home and get ready for a conference.”

“Conference?”

“Yes, echo.”

I roll my eyes. “Where?”

“It’s in Arizona. I’ll be gone for four days.” “Four days?”

“You know, your mom really should have named you echo...I’m sorry Zoe. I don’t want to go, but all the new residents have to.”

“That’s means Chelle is going too?” I know I said it in my head, but did I say it out loud also?

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“Zoe, please don’t be like that.” Andrew fires back. “Michelle is going too, but she is a cardio resident. We may still see each other off and on at the conference, though. It’s no big deal.”

The tension between us carries over to the car ride home. Most of the ride back is in silence, commenting here or there on the scenery, only small talk. “Zoe, are you upset because I’m leaving, or are you upset because I’ll be with Michelle for four days?” he finally asks.

“Both,” I say curtly. ”Both.”

“Zoe, we are both single adults and can do whatever we want.” He goes on to say more, but I don’t hear him. I must have had another Zoe zone out because right then, I hear Andrew scream my name. “Zoe! I’ve never seen you act like this! Maybe the time apart will do us some good,” he mutters.

By this time, we’re pulling around the corner and into my driveway. I don’t even let the car come to a complete stop before I open the door. I grab my bags and shoot out of the car. “Maybe so,” I say. I try to slam his car door, but my hands are full so I end up dropping all my stuff.

Andrew just stares at me bewildered. I gather my things up and stomp off toward my house. I make it

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inside my garage door without crying. Then I just sit on the stairs. I keep replaying those three words over and over in my head...Both. Single. Adults. They pierce my ears like three daggers piercing through a heart! I hate these cards! I want to tear them up and burn them!

But then I remember what Ms. Bea said. I have to finish. I literally scream out loud and bury my face in my hands. I try to get up, but I can’t. My chest feels heavy. I must be having an anxiety attack.

I try to settle myself down enough to get into the house properly. Once inside, all I can do is make it to the couch. I lay there and cry myself to sleep.

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Chapter 8

Nine of Swords

I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life! It’s been two days since I have seen or talked to Andrew, and I feel physically ill. I took a sick day from work because I can’t seem to get myself together. I can’t sleep, I don’t want to eat. I just feel either really empty or longing. I can’t explain it. At least I have Villain to keep me company.

My purse is still on the couch from where I left it. I only touched it to play yesterday’s card. On that card, there is a lady with her face in her hands, sitting up in bed with swords going through her. It looks very disturbing. I can definitely relate.

Just then, there’s a knock at the door, and then I hear someone come in. Villain yelps and jumps off the couch and barrels toward the front door. It’s Meeks to the rescue. I just wanted to be alone or see Andrew. But on second thought, I am glad she came. I need a second opinion.

“Hey girl, I got canceled for the rest of my shift tonight, so I thought we could...” Meeks walks into my den and her jaw drops. She just stares at me in silence. “Oh, hell naw! Zoe!” She dramatically drops to her knees. “Lord, if I get some dick that makes

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me look like this, I don’t want it. Take it away Lord!” Then she hops up. “Wait! On second thought, let me think about this...”

I muster up a laugh. “Meeks!” I say, shaking my head.

“Zoe what is going on! Last we texted, you were on a romantic get away with the Good Doctor. Then I don’t hear from you for two days? Now I find you looking like Janet Jackson when she was ziggety boo crazy and wet in that Tyler Perry movie. What happened?”

I start to cry. Through my tears and hyperventilating, I explain everything to Meka: what I found out about the cards, the night at the cabin, how Andrew is my twin....everything. Meka and I sit in silence. I assume she’s taking in everything I said. Anybody that knows anything about silence knows it can be uncomfortable when you just said something crazy. I feel like I just unleashed a bunch of crazy on her.

“Meka...” before I can say anything else, she turns and gives me the biggest hug.

“Zoe, I feel like you needed that. Secondly, I believe you. I’m the one that told you about Ms. Bea, so clearly I’m a believer in other worldly things. A twin flame? I have never heard of that?

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Girl maybe he couldn’t handle y’all being related.” She bursts into laughter.

“Meka we aren’t birth twins,” I laugh too. “So... explain.”

I go into detail about twins and how it works. “Well, see some believe that everyone is connected to someone because we all were created together. Twin flames are two people that share the same soul. Think of Adam and Eve. Eve was created from the rib of Adam. So I believe in this sense we all were created in this manner, maybe not physically but spiritually. There is someone for everyone. Your true mate is out there and according to Ms. Bea, we don’t meet them until the time is right. Once you come in contact with your twin, the feelings are unexplainable. It doesn’t have anything to do with sex. You just feel a complete oneness.”

“Wow. So this explains why people feel the way they do around you guys,” Meka says. “So...do you think Andrew is going through this too?”

“I don’t know, Meeks. One, I didn’t tell him, and two, talking with Ms. Bea, she told me one twin is the runner and one twin is the chaser. Until the one stops running and identifies with their feelings, you can’t truly be one.”

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“So did she give you a reading? How does it all turn out?”

“Girl, we have bigger fish to fry!” I give her the skinny on these stupid cards I have to play. “I only have a few more days left to draw my cards before my fate is chosen. At first it was kind of fun, but now...”

“Now, because you had a few bad deals you don’t want to play anymore? That’s life. Literally. Some days are good and some days are bad. You have a few bad days, so you give up? No, you keep pushing and see what tomorrow brings. You have a leg up because you kind of know what’s coming. Maybe that’s why your creepy neighbor gave you the cards – not to hurt you but teach you a lesson about life...show you you're stronger than you think. Zoe Miller, you're a strong woman and you have been through a lot. You can get through this. Finish the game.” Meeks goes to reach for the cards, and I quickly smack her hands away. I remind her of what I said earlier and tell her she can’t touch them.

I pull the card from the top of the deck. It’s a picture of a woman in a robe. She looks happy, almost smug. She has her hands on her stomach. I look up the card on my chart with Meeks, and it says “The Empress.” Meeks googles “the empress” and reads the description. “The empress is often depicted as being pregnant...” she says. She didn’t have to read

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anymore. I already know what this was about. I sit back on the couch. When it rains, it pours.

Not even five minutes go by, and I get a phone call. It’s Angela. She wants to know if we can meet to talk. I agree to meet Angela before work tomorrow at the coffee shop near the hospital.

“It’s probably a good idea, Zoe,” Meeks says. “You’ve never faced her, you never talked to her. Maybe it’s time to clear the air.”

Sure. Why not, I thought. What else have I got to lose?

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Chapter 9 The Empress

Sitting at the table in the coffee shop, I’m starting to lose my nerve. I’m kind of hoping maybe she doesn’t show up. What was I doing agreeing to this? My overthinking goes straight into hyperdrive. It’s also day 3 and I haven’t heard from Drew. Why hasn’t he called? Texted? Why haven’t I called him? All these thoughts are rambling through my head so I don’t even see a very much pregnant Angela waddle up to the table.

“Zoe? Hey!” She slides into the seat in front of me. Even pregnant Angela is still beautiful. Anytime anyone sees Angela, she is dressed to the nines and decked out in brand names. Not today though – she has her long jet black hair pulled up in a slick bun, and her red velour tracksuit went well with her milk chocolate complexion. Her gold hoops beam in the sunlight through the window. She looks to be at least 4 or 5 months pregnant, but she seems to be carrying it very well. She dramatically crosses her legs so I could notice her designer heels. She plops her matching Gucci bag on the table. “I’m just ready to burst, Zoe!”

“I can see that,” I say. I really don’t know what to say to her. How do you have a pleasant conversation with the woman who ruined your life? About a baby that she is having with the man you

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were supposed to marry? We haven’t spoken since I found out what was going on. Now I have to play nice. Trying to avoid awkward silence, I speak. “Boy or Girl?”

“Well...” Angela smiles. “I told Stephen that we would wait until the birth, but I had the doctor tell me. We are having a boy!” She rubs her stomach. “Little Stephen Junior!”

“Oh, that’s awesome!” I know that came out dry as fuck. I don’t even care. I can’t do this!

As I stand up, about to excuse myself, Angela reaches for my hand. “Zoe please. Sit. I know this is hard, it’s hard for me too.”

“Hard to be a hoe, huh?” Oh, I hope I didn’t say that out loud.

“Well, I see someone is still bitter.” Yep, I definitely said it out loud.

“Bitter! Angela, we knew each other! You knew Stephen had a girlfriend. Fiancé! Why would you do that to me? Fuck being my friend, associates, acquainted, or whatever. Woman to Woman, why?!?”

Angela pauses before she speaks. “If I was able to take Stephen away from you, was he really yours in the first place?”

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I began to wonder how much time I would get for fighting a pregnant woman. Before I know it, my hand is going across her very well made-up face. It’s the slap heard around the coffee shop.

I stand there motionless. I see Mike from behind the counter. He’s kind of witnessed my relationship from the sidelines. Some of it actually played out here in the coffee shop. One of his employees asks if she should call the police. Mike crosses his arms across his chest then scratches his graying head and says, “No. They are going to work this out. Let them be.” He turns to take someone’s order and just like that, the shop is back buzzing and people look away and go about their activities.

Angela grabs her face in shock. “Zoe! You really know how to take advantage of a situation.”

“Angela, pregnant or not, if you let me get close enough to slap you, could you really even fight in the first place?” I sit back down and stare at her intently.

“Zoe this is ridiculous!”

“And so is that comment you just made! First of all, you did interfere in my relationship. You saw an opportunity and you went for it. I have always had to deal with women coming for him. He always respected our relationship. We were under a lot of

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stress and you saw a way in, and you took it. You were just doing what hoes do. Good Game. My real issue is with Stephen. I was in a relationship with him, not you.”

“Zoe Miller, I am not a hoe.”

“Angela, did you know Stephen was in a relationship when you started to pursue him? Was Stephen still in fact in a relationship when you started sleeping together?”

Just then Meeks arrives and slides into the booth next to me. “Sounds like you’re a hoe to me, boo.”

We both stare at Meeks in shock. I give Meka this look, like how did you find us? Meeks answers my question. “Oh, I saw you were here with Find My iPhone. I dropped my phone in your purse on silent before you left.” If Meeks wasn’t a nurse, I swear she’s some sort of agent for CIA or FBI – she can find out anything!

“Zoe, I didn’t come to fight!” Angela says.

“Well, that’s too bad,” Meeks fires back.

“Meka!” I say. “Angela, what the hell did you call me here for? We have been going round and round for almost an hour I have to get to work, and...”

Before I can finish, Angela starts to cry. “Stephen is still in love with you! I know he is. He tells me that

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he loves me and the baby, but I don’t feel it. To be honest, I never did. When we used to go out as a group, I used to look at the both of you and I wanted what you had! I was so jealous. You guys looked so happy together and he really is a good catch.”

Meeks starts in under her breath...”this gold digging ass...”

“Meeks, let her finish!” I hand Angela a tissue from my purse.

“Thank you.” Wiping tears and a few lashes away, she continues. “When I got wind of you guys having issues, I took my chance. I knew it was wrong and I told myself all these things like, oh if he left you for me it wasn’t real between them. But then I saw that he was pulling away, so I thought that if got pregnant, because I know in his heart of hearts he’s a stand-up guy, he wouldn’t leave because of the baby.”

Just then I get a text from Meeks: 403. I rotate my phone and it spells HOE.

I roll my eyes at Meeks and turn back to Angela. “We got in a fight and I told him the baby wasn’t his,” she says. I debate telling her that I talked to Stephen. I decide to keep that to myself. “I haven’t been with anyone else. I was just mad. I figured maybe he reached out you and I was wondering if

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you could talk to him. See where his head is at? He is not sleeping, coming home late, and being distant. I’m okay with us not being together, if that’s what he wants. That’s what I get. I was wrong. But I’m really worried about him.”

Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t think I can Angela.” “Zoe please! I know he will listen to you.”

I look at the clock. “Angela, I have to go. Let me think about this.” I motion for Meeks to let me out and we get up to leave.

“Zoe,” Angela calls me back to the table. “For what it’s worth, I truly am sorry.”

Sorry. I think about my wedding dress hanging in my closet. Sorry indeed.

Once we have a break at work, I tell Meeks about my phone conversation with Stephen. “Zoe, I'm kind of mad at you,” she says. “Why have you been keeping all this from me?”

“Meka, I don’t know, I’m trying to be an adult and deal with it all myself.”

Just then, Sharon tells those of us in the break room that someone can go home on low census. It’s Meka’s turn, but she decides to let me go because I need to sort some stuff out.

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You don’t have to tell me twice. As I’m walking through the parking garage, I start to think about Andrew. Where is he? Did he make it back from his conference? Why hasn't he called? Why haven’t I?

Having one of my Zoe zone outs, I didn’t even see the car pulling out in front of me. “Need a ride?” It’s Stephen.

“Nope, I’m fine.” I turn to walk down the aisle of my car. Stephen leaves his car in park and hops out and walks after me. “Stephen, what are you even doing here?”

“You won't talk to me or answer my texts, so I thought I would catch you at work.”

“OK but normally I don’t get off until 7am?”

“I know. I was going to sleep in the car until then.”

I roll my eyes. “Stephen, go home.”

“I am home. I love you, Zoe. I know I fucked up, but I can fix it. We can fix it.”

“Fix it? Have you lost your mind?” I am so frustrated right now I could scream. “Stephen, you need to go home! It’s over between us. I can’t do this. No matter what happens between you and

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Angela, we can’t be together. You broke my heart,” I say, fighting back tears.

“Zoe I'm so sorry...I don’t love her. I’ll help her take care of the baby if its mine, but I don’t love her. Let me come home.” Stephen drops to his knees in front of me and buries his face in his hands.

Just then, hospital security drives by, doing rounds. Oh great, I think. Now the whole hospital is gonna know about my sad love story. ”Stephen, get up!”

Randy, the senior security officer, pulls up beside us. “Ms. Zoe? You good?”

“Yes officer Randy, I’m fine.”

Randy stares at me then back at Stephen. “You okay, young man?”

“Yes sir I’m fine. I’m going home now.” Stephen says, trying to pull himself together.

“All right, let me know if you need any help getting there.” Officer Randy is ready to retire, but he doesn’t play with anybody. Stephen turns to walk to his car. Randy stays to make sure he gets in his car and pulls off. I tell Randy I’m fine and turn to walk toward my car. Before pulling off, Officer Randy reminds me that I can have a security escort when I get off if I need it. I thank him and walk

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toward my car. I begin to think about what Angela said. This was totally out of Stephen’s character.

As I sit down in my car, I get a text from Stephen:

I’m not letting you go that easy Zoe.

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Chapter 10 The Lovers

The drive home seems way longer than usual. Maybe because I drove home in silence thinking about everything that happened. I’m glad I got to go home early. I really need to pull myself together. I pull into my garage and I can hear Villain yelping from behind my garage door leading to the house.

Fumbling with my keys and bag, I manage to get my side door open and Villain tackles me, licking my face and yelping. “Ok, ok! You must be happy I’m home early!” I set my purse and work bag down and let Villain out the patio door. Usually he is raring to go, but tonight he seems spooked. Since he’s gotten older, I’ve been able to let him out without a leash. Tonight, he is acting like he doesn’t want to be outside. “Oh, Villain what’s wrong?

I grab his leash and take him out. While we are outside, I get the eerie feeling we are being watched, but I don’t see anyone. We hurry back inside. I decide to make sure all the doors and windows are locked just in case.

After my routine of a long hot shower and a fresh pair of pajamas, I light a fire and settle on my couch with a glass of wine. Meka texts me to see if I’m ok, and I just say yes. I don’t even feel like getting into what happened earlier with Stephen. All of a

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sudden, I hear rumbling outside. Sounds like a storm is coming, and also sounds like good sleeping weather to me. I settle in on my couch and start to nod off.

It’s around 2 am when both the storm and a knock at my door wakes me up. What the hell?! This better not be Stephen, I think. Clearly it is not. It is in fact a very drenched Andrew at my door. “Zoe, it’s pouring out here, let me in please!” I slide out of the way so he can walk past me. “I’ve been outside for 15 minutes trying to get in. I called you but you didn’t answer.”

“I what?” I’m still dazed from waking up. I look at my phone and it's dead.

“I was just about to sleep in the car until you woke up.”

“Yeah that seems to be the theme tonight,” I mutter. Andrew looks confused. “What does that mean?”

I just shake my head. “Andrew why haven’t I heard from you? I mean I didn’t think our fight was that bad. I was just being a brat, jealous, insecure,...”

“Zoe I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was wrong. I didn’t want to face my feelings, so I ghosted you. I wasn’t ready to feel the things I was feeling. The whole time I was at the conference, all

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I could think about was you. It began to consume me. I decide to leave early. I wanted to apologize face to face, and I couldn’t take being apart from you anymore. I had to get back to you. Then I got sick while I was away, but I really think it was food poisoning.”

I begin to think about what Ms. Bea said about twins and feeling ill when they are apart. I decide to tell Andrew everything. “Andrew, I need to talk to you about something.”

“Zoe,” he says as he starts to take all his wet clothes off. Andrew is standing in front of my fireplace completely naked, his almond skin almost glowing in the light of the fire. “Tell me later. I want to hear what your body has to say.” Drew grabs my face and kisses me almost like he wants to devour me.

I slide out of my pajamas, and he picks me up with one arm and sits on my couch. I straddle him. He gives me a chance to get a rhythm first, and then he takes over. I can’t contain myself anymore “Drew, I love you!” I blurt out.

“I love you too, Zoe. I’ll never leave you again, I promise.” He picks me up and lays me on the floor in front of the fireplace. Every time we kiss, its electric. Every time we make love, it feels like the world stops. It’s just us. And that’s just fine with me.

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I wake up the next morning, not even sure what time it is. Andrew isn’t beside me. I get up and wrap one of my throw blankets around me as my nose guides me to the kitchen. Andrew is in the kitchen with just a towel around his waist, making breakfast. I walk up behind him and put my arms around him. “You must be ready for another round?”

“No sir,” I laugh. “I think I need a few days to recuperate. But...I do have something to talk to you about.”

“Okay, I'm all ears.” We both sit down at my table and I try to think of where to start. I guess the only place to begin is the beginning. I tell Andrew everything – from the dreams I was having, the tarot cards, Ms. Bea, everything. Andrew sits in silence for what seems to me like forever.

“Well?” I ask.

“Well?” Andrew says that it seems like quite the story. He doesn't believe me, I think. “But Zoe... I do believe you. You have the cards, this is real. I have never heard of twin flames either. I guess this explains why I feel so connected to you.”

“Wait, Drew! I never said you didn't believe me out loud.” I don’t know how he knew that.

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“But Zoe, I heard you clear as day.” Things are starting to get stranger and stranger. “Zoe, we can sort that out later... What do we do about these cards? Did you pull your card for today?”

“No, not yet. I only have one more card left after today. It's almost over.” I grab my bag and pull out the box. Nervously, I pick the card from the top of the deck. The card has a picture of a male and female, seemingly staring longingly at one another with the sky between them. I look at my chart, and the card was called "The Lovers."

“I wonder how these cards work?” Drew asks, staring at the deck in shock.

“I'm not sure Drew, I don't think anyone knows for sure. This deck is enchanted; it doesn't even work like the tarot cards that we see today.”

“So, you mean to tell me you just pick up a card and it tells you what is in store for you, just like that?” Drew reaches for a card and I can't move quick enough to stop him.

“Drew, Don't!” I yell. But I'm too late. He snatches a card from the deck. I start to cry. “Andrew, you aren’t supposed to touch the deck.” I forgot to tell him. “I am the only person that is allowed to touch the deck.”

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Drew turns his card over. “Well, then let’s see what I have in store.” The card is blank at first, then all of a sudden the card begins to change, and a skeleton figure appears riding a horse and carrying a banner with a flag.

I look at my cheat sheet. "This is the Death card," This can't be happening. I know he is not about to be taken away from me not now. "Andrew..."

"Zoe... it's okay,” he says calmly.

"No, I'm calling Ms. Bea." I quickly call her and explain what happened. She says that we must come to her at once. “Andrew, we have to go now!” I yell. I hang up the phone and we rush from the house, forgetting the breakfast.

The ride to Canal street seems to take an eternity. Pulling into the driveway, Ms. Bea comes outside to meet us and motions us to hurry inside.

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Chapter 11 Death

“You don’t listen, do you child!” Ms. Bea scolds me as we hurry inside. “Young man, take all your clothes off now!” she instructs. Andrew, a little hesitant, starts to disrobe. “Hurry boy, no time for modesty.”

Once Andrew is naked, Ms. Bea starts to rub an oil onto his skin, starting from his neck downward. The whole time she’s doing this, she’s chanting something in a language, maybe her own. I just stand there in silence, feeling helpless. When she’s done, she goes into her kitchen and brings out a large wooden bowl that has what looks like pieces of muslin inside. They were soaking in some concoction that also had flowers and herbs. She begins chanting again as she wraps him in the cloth.

As I wonder what Andrew must be thinking, Ms. Bea must have been reading my mind. “I will explain everything later,” she says. Once she’s done, Drew kind of looks like a mummy. She leads him into a back room that I‘ve never seen before. It must be some sort of spell work room. There’s a long table in the center of the room surrounded by cabinets and shelves with all different items

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contained inside. Some are jars with feathers, stones, crystals, herbs and powders. I realized then that there is definitely more to Ms. Bea than meets the eye.

She asks me to help Andrew get on top of the table, and I do as I’m told. Once he’s on top of the table, Ms. Bea grabs one of the largest feathers I have ever seen. “Andrew, when I start doing this, you will begin to get drowsy, and then fall into a deep sleep. You will awaken when the ritual is done. I will explain everything then.”

Andrew looks at me and then back at Ms. Bea and nods that he is ready. She begins chanting again as she shakes the feathers around Andrew. I can see after a few moments he is beginning to get sleepy. A few more minutes go by, and Andrew is asleep.

Ms. Bea leads me to the couch in her waiting area. I sit down, spent, and begin to cry. Ms. Bea sits down beside me and puts her arms around me. “Drink this, it will make you feel better.” She hands me a cup of hot tea. It tastes wonderful. It has a caramel flavor to it with some sort of herbs as well. I ask Ms. Bea what’s in the tea, and I don’t even recall what she said because I drift off then into a deep sleep.

It’s dark outside when I wake up. How long have I been asleep? Andrew! I hastily jump off the couch

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and head toward the room that he’s in. Ms. Bea directs me toward the kitchen. There, I see Andrew sitting at the table fully dressed, as if nothing ever happened. I’m so confused. “I...I think I have to work tonight? What time is it?” I ask.

“Time for you to sit down and me to talk to you both,” Ms. Bea says. “As for your work...taken care of.” Just then, I get a text from Gigi, the charge nurse for tonight, saying that we have a low census. No one wants to go home, so I can stay home if I want. I look up at Ms. Bea and she just winks. Andrew pulls out a chair so I can sit down. Ms. Bea, after taking a sip of her tea, speaks. “I know the events that have happened over these last few weeks have been unexplainable to say the least. There are a lot of things going on in this world that we can’t explain. I’m not sure why Rose gave you those cards, as it seems like they did a lot more harm than good.”

Ms. Bea, taking another sip of her tea, asks us if we know how tarot cards work. Andrew speaks first. “No, but when I was younger, I recall my mother using them. I didn’t know what they were at the time. I was young when my mother passed. So I didn’t get to ask her why or what she was doing.”

“Andrew, I knew your mother. She was a very gifted reader, among other things.”

“You knew my mom?”

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“Yes I did, but we will get to that. Back to the cards. These cards work off energy as well as accessing information from the Akashic record. The Akashic record can be explained as a vast library with our record of current, past, and future events, if that makes sense to you. We all have certain life paths we can take based on the choices we make. Tarot cards read our current energy and based on that give us information on what could be next for us. If we change one thing, the path changes.”

“Infinite possibilities,” I say. “Yes and No.”

“You also have fate. Destiny. Those things will never change. Those things are meant to happen, no matter what occurs. You can have delays or postponements, but it will still happen. Andrew’s fate was chosen with the death card. Punishment maybe for playing out of turn touching the cards. But the death card is also about transformation. So, I performed a ritual spell for Andrew that if his life would end here, he would be suspended in another.”

“Ms. Bea ... What does this all mean? What do we do now?”

“Wait...my children. Just wait.”

We leave Ms. Bea, confused more than ever, Andrew and I decide to go to the coffee shop bookstore near the hospital to see if we could find

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anything else to help the situation. “Andrew, you are dealing with this rather well,” I tell him as we browse the books.

“Zoe, I have always had an open mind. I’m not scared at all, maybe whatever Ms. Bea did calmed my spirit so I can get through this. My only fear is being without you.”

“So maybe there’s something here that can give us more info or help. I just found you. I can’t lose you again.”

Mike's library in the coffee shop is rather extensive, having an upstairs and downstairs. I ask one of the waitresses if Mike has a section for the occult. She takes us to the second floor to a corner section of the library. It’s not very big, but it may have something. We begin searching through books, looking for anything that might help. All of a sudden, a green book with gold writing falls off the shelf. Andrew picks up the book. Haunted U.S. History. The book falls face down. It’s open on a chapter about “The old pink house” in Savannah, Georgia. Andrew begins reading out loud about the house.

“Maybe we need to go here,” he says. “This book had to fall for a reason.”

“Sure Andrew, but it’s not really telling us anything.”

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“I know Zoe, and this is all so crazy and happening so fast, but I think this is a sign. When can we go?”

“Tonight. I don’t have work until Tuesday,'' I say.

“And I'm about to die soon, so the sooner the better,” he says. “Let's keep this book just in case.” We check the book out with Mike. We head to Andrew’s house to pack first before we head to my house. Pulling up my driveway, I notice my front door is ajar. I motion for Drew to stop the car. Maybe we left the door open when we left? No, I know we didn’t.

As I am getting out of the car to go inside, Drew gets up too. “Hey, stay here,” I say. “I’m not sure what is going on, and my door is open, so why isn’t Villain running around outside?” I wonder.

“I’m not staying here,” Andrew says firmly. “And look at you being all tough! But you're not going in alone.” Andrew and I both get out of the car and go inside. The reason why Villain isn’t running around outside is because he’s sitting on the couch with Stephen.

“Stephen! What are you doing here!?!” I cry. “I just wanted to talk to you Zoe.”

“How did you get in here?”

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“I made a copy of my key before I gave it back. Who is he?” Stephen points at Andrew. I can tell he is agitated and has been drinking.

“Stephen that’s...”

“I can speak for myself...I’m Andrew.”

Stephen looks at the both of us and then back at me. He looks haggard, like he has been up all night also. “Zoe, take me back. I want to come back home.”

“Stephen, I really don’t have time for this, and we aren’t getting back together. Please leave.”

Stephen stands up now. “I'm not going anywhere until you talk to me!” Andrew reaches for Stephen’s arm, and Stephen abruptly snatches it away. “Get your fucking hands off me,” he mutters at him. They exchange words and a fight ensues. I try to break it up, but I can't. They begin tussling on the floor. Stephen reaches for something concealed in his coat. No, it can’t be.

Then, all of a sudden, I hear a loud bang. “No, no, no!” I drop to my knees, “Andrew!”

Stephen stands up, a bloody gun in hand. But it’s Andrew's blood. Andrew lies motionless on the floor. All of sudden everything is frozen. Suspended. I am awake and aware but can’t move.

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The room begins to spin then bang again. When I open my eyes, Andrew and Stephen are gone. No blood. No furniture knocked over; everything is right as rain. Standing in my living room shocked, dazed and confused, there is a knock at my door.

“Hey Zoe!” It's Meka. “I'm off today, so I wanted to know what we were doing on our vacation?”

Vacation? I just had a vacation. I’m so confused. “Meka what are you...?” And then I remembered everything that just happened and what Ms. Bea said: "everything was taken care of." She must have worked some sort of magic to give me the time off. But what happened to Drew? Where was he? Where was Stephen? What the hell just happened?

I grab my head because it feels like it's about to explode. “Zoe sit down, you don't look so good.” Meka guides me arm through arm to the couch so I can sit. “Zoe, what's going on?”

“Meeks, I don't even know how to explain anything that has happened over the last 24 hours.”

“Well, just start at the beginning.”

Just as I am about to start this wild tale, there is another knock at my door. “I'll get it.” I rush to the front door, hoping it’s Andrew and that this was all

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just some weird dream. When I open the door, standing there is Rose Donovan. “Rose!”

“In the flesh!” she says as she pushes past me into my living room. For Rose to be so petite, she is powerful. She’s dressed in all black turtleneck and pants with a caramel-colored trench coat, her long red hair curly like mine now bone straight, pulled back tightly in a low bun.

“Rose, what the hell is going on! Where did you and Peter move to? Why did you send the cards? What happened to Andrew?”

“Well, you sure are full of questions, and I am full of answers! But if you want to see Andrew again, we have to hurry! We can talk on the way!” Reluctantly, I grab my purse off my couch and tell Rose that I have to pack my bags. I remember that's why I came to my house in the first place. To get my bags. Maybe if I had just left with Andrew, none of this would have even happened. Rose, reading my thoughts, says “It’s already taken care of, dear,” and points to the front door. My bags are packed and sitting by the entrance.

“Okay, can someone explain to me what is going on?” Meeks asks.

“Sure,” Rose says. "On the way. As matter of fact, you can come too, as we need all the help we can get."

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“So where are we going? I'm always up for an adventure.”

“The Olde Pink house in Savannah, Georgia.”

“Wait, that's where Andrew and I were headed....” I say. The pieces are beginning to fall into place. “That was you that made the book fall, wasn’t it?”

Rose nods her head. “You are correct, now let's go.'' She turns and marches right out the front door. Grabbing my bags, I head out behind her.

“Umm wait!” Meka says running behind us. “I’ve heard about that place! It was a house that had a restaurant and it's supposed to be...wait it's supposed to be haunted.”

“Yes that house is many things, one being a portal, and if we don't hurry, we might miss our chance at bringing Andrew back.” Rose says, ushering us outside.

Headed out the door, I think about how in these last few weeks my life had changed, I had changed. I’ve been introduced to things I didn't even know existed. I think I found my true love, and now I'm about to go rescue him from another dimension. How's that for “couple goals?”

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And just like that, I was off on the first of many adventures...And that's how the Paranormal Detective Agency was born. Who knew I would be trading in my scrubs and searching for answers to explain the unexplainable? I guess as people say, it's in the cards...Literally.

To Be Continued.....

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