[Nadia has showered and changed. Her client this afternoon, Maryann, has been coming to consult Nadia for about three years. She made her first visit to Nadia a few months after her marriage. They have already exchanged pleasantries, and the card table has been returned to the center of the room. Nadia is about to begin Maryann’s reading.]

She smiled at Maryann. [Nadia has a few favorite clients. Maryann is one of them.] “Shall we begin, Maryann?”

“Okay,” Maryann replied. She began to shuffle the tarot cards.

Nadia allowed Maryann to concentrate and to shuffle her thoughts into the cards. After a minute or two, she broke the silence and indicated that Maryann should create three piles of cards onto the table. After Maryann finished placing the cards in front of her, Nadia reached for the first pile on the left.

She laid the cards out in groups of three’s and four’s. Her brows furrowed as each new group of upturned cards made their appearance. After laying out all the cards from that first pile, she studied them closely. Unconsciously, she bit the side of her index finger. Maryann’s cards were, to put it mildly, surprising.

“You know, don’t you,” Maryann said.

Nadia didn’t look up when she answered. “Yes.”

She tapped her index finger on one of the small groups of cards. “Adultery, Maryann?” She couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

“It’s not what you think,” Maryann said, trying to defend herself. “It’s complicated.”

Nothing more was said while Nadia spread the second pile of cards face-up next to those already on the table. The fine hairs on her arms tingled as she gained more insight from the new cards.

The room was quiet except for the hum of the heater as fresh warm air filled the room. Even though it was only the beginning of September, the day had grown cool, so Nadia reset the temperature gauge when Dominic left earlier. Maryann remained silent.

Nadia gazed intently at the fresh information revealed by the cards. “I see the Knight of Swords. He figures prominently in your reading.” She picked up the card and handed it to Maryann so she could look at it more closely. “See how he sits astride his white horse and charges forward? You can tell by just looking at him that he’s a strong-willed man and he’s on a mission. He’s rushed headlong into your life, hasn’t he?”

Taking back the card, she returned it to its original position on the table. “See how the Two of Cups card rests right next to the dashing Knight’s card?” she continued, pointing to the two cards. “That implies your complication is a recent development.”

“Yes,” Maryann replied. “That’s why I wanted to see you so urgently.”

Nadia continued to scan the cards. There were a few more surprises, some relating to Maryann’s husband, Brad. She had met Brad on a few occasions. He always attended Zizi’s fundraising party with Maryann, and these particular cards pertaining to him piqued her curiosity.