Free The Straight Crimes by Matt Juhl Page B

sense."
    “It sounds like that should mean somethin’ pretty important though, right?”
    Feeling uncomfortable and afraid to startle Harper, Brielle avoided a further response. “I almost forgot, happy birthday. It’s tomorrow, correct?”
    Her eyes lit up. “Yes ma’am."
    "Eighteen."
    "That's right."
    “Eighteen is a magical age in a woman’s life. Everything begins to change, but of course you already know that.”
    “I guess.”
    “Your life’s already evolving, ever since summer drew its first breath…when you came back here after being gone all these years.”
    “Yes.”
    “You’ve had some trouble adapting to your surroundings.”
    “Yeah, a lil’.”
    “But for you, life seems better here than the South.”
    “Anywhere is better than Fire Brush. That place is a hellhole.”
    Brielle forced a smile. “You’re incredibly resilient, my love, and that’s a wonderful trait to have. Especially for you, it’ll come in handy.”
    “Why?”
    “Events have already been set in motion, and so much is yet to come in such little time. Everything you know as familiar and comfortable is going to change faster than you can comprehend. That’s why your resilience is so precious. You must stay strong to weather the storms brewing ahead.”
    “Storms, what are you sayin’?”
    “You won’t always understand why things happen, but rather than dwell on the challenges, you need to remember you’re strong and continue to fight. Do what brings you solace.”
    “What are you talkin’ about? You’re scarin’ me.”
    “No need to be frightened.”
    “That’s easy for you to say.”
    “You just need to be the strong, vivacious, young woman you were.”
    “I am strong.”
    “But not like you were.” Brielle quickly flipped over the first two cards. One was an illustration of a sparkling star, and the other a pair of two lovers, holding hands. "I sense a heaviness weighing you down, a fear eating you from within. You’re quite melancholy.”
    Harper wholeheartedly agreed. It was a tough truth to ignore.
    "You’re confused. Your mind’s overwrought with apprehension, conflicted about some choices you have to make, but you already have the answer. It's inside of you, burning within.”
    “It is?”
    “You need to learn how to trust your instincts, darling. The star is trying to show you the way, so you will see the light and follow your heart. However, until you accept who you are, you’ll always be trapped within yourself, never happy, never fulfilled…living a gray, empty life.”
    "What do I want?"
    "It’s not so much what you want, but rather,   who . Your heart yearns for a  male  Libra.” Brielle stared Harper directly into her eyes. “I see the letter 'N’. It’s a hard ‘N’.”
    Harper whispered, "Nik."
    “Yes, that’s him. Tell me, does your boyfriend have an ill family member? I see a distant relative, perhaps an uncle, who’s in rather poor health.”
    “I don’t think so—wait, boyfriend? No he ain’t my boyfriend.”
    “Why not? He’s tall, dark, and very attractive. He drives you wild.”
    “Please, that’s ridiculous. I’m a woman, why would I want a man?”
    "I'm not here to judge, my love. I’m only telling you what you already know—and what I can see.”
    Harper frowned, wondering why she tried lying to a psychic. “But no one accepts us.”
    “That’s just your perception. Some people will surprise you.”
    “Oh yeah,” Harper huffed sarcastically. “You wouldn’t believe exactly how surprised we’ve been.”
    “Listen, I understand your cynicism. The truth of the matter is that you’ve created this fear in your mind, based on trivial words from small-minded people.  You  are afraid of the isolation you’ll face for loving a man, but you mustn’t let people’s ignorance halt your burning passions. You belong together, the compatibility is undeniable. You, my dear Leo, need to stop being so stubborn. Open your heart and your mind.”
    “Excuse