I did so.
After plugging his number into my phone, he was comfortable enough to leave me to my own devices. I had reason to suspect he was going to stick around though.
I waited until he had disappeared from my sight before going to stand in front of Maxine’s shop. It had taken me a couple of days to wrap my mind around everything and gather the courage to go. I needed to talk to her about how everything was coming true and how weirded out I was. I wanted to discuss the events as of late too.
But as I stood outside her shop, I caught my reflection in the door, and I suddenly wasn’t sure of myself anymore. All that confidence had vaporized, and I considered walking away. So much so, that I had turned away to do so. Then the door opened, and Maxine’s voice stopped me.
“Hey Cassidy,” she said. “Did you need something?”
I turned around and faced her. Once my eyes rested on her bright green ones, I smiled. “Sort of. Are you busy?”
“Girl, I always have time for you.” She waved me toward the door. “Come on in.”
I followed her into her strangely alluring shop. She headed straight through the shop and toward the stairs.
“This way,” she said, keeping me following her and not becoming focused on all the things in her shop.
I climbed the stairs to the second floor, which was an open floor plan. The far wall featured four tall windows that overlooked the street, in front of that was her makeshift living room. To the right of that was her kitchen.
“Wow,” I said. Everything was so bright and lavish. Not at all what I expected.
“I know right?” she said. “I think of it as cozy.”
“You certainly can make a small space seem very big,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
Wherever there was an open space of wall, a potted plant stood. Not an inch of space was wasted, and to look at everything was like looking into a magazine that showcased decorative spaces. I was surprised with how bright her home was compared to the shop below.
“Behind you, through the little closet is the bathroom and the other door leads to the patio,” Maxine offered.
“Where do you sleep?” I asked, turning to face her. That was the one room or setup I hadn’t seen yet.
“The sofa is a pullout. That’s where,” she said with a smile. “Now, go out on my patio and take a seat. I’ll be right out with some tea.”
I nodded. “Okay. That sounds good.”
I headed outside and took in a breath of air. Even on the patio, Maxine had box gardens lining her patio with things I was able to only guess at. My thoughts were something that was hardy and could grow in the colder months, like squash, but the boxes were filled in with green leafy things with no fruit or veggies to speak of.
In the center of the leftover, open space was a small table with two small chairs. The perfect size for the space. I took a seat and eyed the strange potted plant in the center of the table. It seemed more suited for the desert than the city. Albeit much of the southern and eastern part of the state was considered desert-like. Still, I found it unusual.
Minutes later, Maxine stepped out carrying two steaming mugs of tea.
“I hope you like chamomile and honey. It is my own blend,” she said.
“Sounds delicious,” I said.
She sat the mugs on the table before taking her seat. “I figured something relaxing, especially with how you left the last time. I thought I was never going to see you again.”
“I also thought I never would see you again, myself, so we’re both just as surprised.” I picked up my mug and blew over the rim to cool the hot liquid. The blends of the tea and herbs filled my nose and made my mouth water. “I’m sorry, by the way.”
“That’s okay. I’m used to it. And I’m glad you decided to come back around.” She took a sip of her tea and set the cup back down. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
“Right,” I said through a sigh. “About that.”
I dug into the tale of my past few days, leaving nothing uncovered. I even talked about how everything seemed tied together and was too much of a coincidence for the recent events not to be part of the reading. Maxine listened and nodded at intervals.
Not once did I get the impression that she wasn’t paying attention.