12/17/17 & 12/18/17

What could I do in a circus?

Take me back…

Photo by Tristan Frank on Unsplash

12/17/17

I lay in bed. Mal was on the phone in another room. August sat next to me while Willow pulled his card, the Six of Swords reversed.

“I see this as a main trait of yours, August, an unwillingness to simply embrace the life of ease you should have.”

“You mean I should move on. Go find Evelyn, just forget about what I really want? No.”

“You don’t belong here. I can help you.”

“No. I like it here.”

I fell asleep. I’d heard this conversation before.

---

12/18/17

I sat in bed, Mal was next to me this time.

“You should consider coming on the road with the circus.”

“Me? What could I possibly do in a circus?”

“Write, chronicle, be a psychic, Willow says she sees the gift in you.” He took my hand in his and ran his fingers along my palm and up the tender underside of my forearm. I touched his pale, smooth cheek.

We heard screaming from the kitchen. Mal leapt off the bed with me close on his heels. Willow stood in the center of the room. August stood in front of her with a butcher knife.

“She lies,” he growled. Willow shook her head and moved slowly toward us.

“I drew the Mother of Pentacles, a card for Evelyn. Or the Evelyn he knew at least, kind, nurturing.”

“She pulled it just to manipulate me.” August slashed at Willow. In a flash Mal was between them. He uttered something in a language I didn’t know and August disappeared in a flash of light.

“What happened?”

“I sent him away.” Mal examined Willow, despite her protests that she was fine.

“Sent him away where? For how long?” My heart raced.

“Away. He’ll be back. I can’t banish him, it doesn’t work quite like that. He has to be willing to move on.” He turned to Willow. “Go pack your things. We must get back to the Circus. August will be weak when he returns, our friend here is out of danger.” I sat down heavily at the kitchen table and put my head down. I felt Mal’s hand on my shoulder.

“Sell your house and all of your things. When you’ve done that, call me and I’ll tell you where to meet us.”

I looked up. Mal’s lips met mine.

Next episode…