San Joaquin Valley, California
The next morning, Scott found Kinsey sitting outside at the checkers’ table finishing her morning coffee while immersed in Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities”. Joining her to enjoy the last of his own coffee, he hoped to engage his little cousin with a few inquiries.
“Have time to talk?”
Not looking up from her book, Kinsey responded. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
“I see.” Scott held up the deck of tarot cards. “How about now?”
“My cards!”
Smiling, he knew he now had the young lady’s attention. “Yes. And they will be your cards again after you answer a question.”
“Nothing happened.”
“What?”
“You didn’t talk to Johnny?”
Scott raised an eyebrow. “Kinsey, why do I get the feeling I wasn’t about to ask the question I should be asking?”
“I haven’t a clue. May I have my cards?”
Placing the deck in the middle of the table, Scott tapped the top card with his index finger. “These can be yours once you tell me which card represented Johnny.”
With a smirk on her face, Kinsey crossed her arms, sat back, and delivered her best rendition of Winnie. “Well, ScottyGarrett, it looks to me like yr might be thinkin’ of takin’ your little cousin a wee bit serious on the readin’ of the tarot cards.”
With his best Winifred McLoughlin, Scott replied, “Ah, KinseyRose. It would be breakin’ me heart havin’ to see your older cousin needin’ to take the necessary steps to be curin’ that sassy mouth on such a wisp of a lass like yourself.”
“I miss Winnie.”
“I miss her too, Freckles. Now, which card is Johnny’s?”
Kinsey spread the cards out in front her, selected one, and held it up.
“The Chariot.”
Taking the card from his cousin’s hand, Scott scrutinized the illustration. “What is the meaning of this one, oh little fortune teller?”
“Well, it’s a rather complicated card.”
Scott wasn’t surprised.
“The card depicts a princely figure in a swift chariot pulled by two horses. It’s about overcoming conflicts and moving forward in a positive direction. It’s a journey of conquering obstacles of scattered energy, lack of direction and self-doubt. Through hard work and commitment, he will be victorious.
“And what did Johnny say when you told him this?”
Kinsey took the Chariot from Scott’s hand and placed it back in the pile. “He laughed and said my cards were silly. But that’s fine. I think the card…how does Jelly put it?” Kinsey smiled. “I think the card nailed Johnny’s backside to the barn door.”
Scott nodded. I agree with Jelly.’
"So tell me, young lady, which one represents you?”
“Not important.”
“Oh no.” Scott took the deck from Kinsey and spread the tarot cards back out on the table. “Since we’re nailing backsides to barn doors, I want to know which one is yours. Be truthful.”
Kinsey selected a card and held it up.
Scott raised an eyebrow. “The Fool?”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds. It represents new beginnings, having faith in the future, not knowing what to expect, spontaneity, and originality. It also speaks of naivety, inexperience, poor judgment, and chaos.” Kinsey rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you have no problem agreeing with the latter of these insights.”
“You may have your cards back and perhaps our next purchase will be a crystal ball.”
The younger cousin slowly gathered up the tarot cards. “Scott? Have you spoken to Murdoch about our plans?”
“I have and I can say with confidence he is not totally dead set against it.”
Kinsey looked dismayed.
“Don’t worry, Freckles. He’ll come around.”
“When will you discuss it with Johnny?”
“Soon.”
“It’s not going to go well.”
“And why do you say that?”
Kinsey removed the Chariot card and the Fool card from the deck and placed them in front of Scott. Positioning the Juggler card on the table, she took her index finger and pushed it between the two previous cards.
“That’s why.”
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