Wild Men of Alaska 03 - Dreamweaver

looked to Tern. “Could this be why he is hanging onto the physical plane?”
    “No, I don’t believe so. Lucky was always one to jump in with both feet, come what may. As far as I know, there isn’t much he regretted. He lived a good life. Not always the best decision maker, but he didn’t shirk the consequences either. He lost his life too soon. So maybe that is why he can’t or won’t move on?”
    Rosie had been sitting quietly sipping her tea until now. “Don’t they always say, ‘Heaven is where your heart is’? Maybe his heart is with her.”
    “Rosie, that isn’t helping.” Siri jerked her head toward Gemma.
    Like she wasn’t going to pick up on that.
    “A fair reading, Siri,” Rosie said. “Just because you’re scared for Gemma, doesn’t make it right.”
    “Mom?”
    “I’m doing my best to stay neutral.” Siri’s mouth tightened. “But I don’t like this. Another card.”
    Gemma pulled the Hermit from the pile.
    “He’s restless and walks from dusk until ...damn.”
    “Holy shit, this is getting freaky,” Tern said.
    No kidding. Gemma had never seen a reading so... in tune .
    Siri fidgeted, picking at the embroidery threads on her skirt. “He peers at whatever takes his fancy, seeing things that he’s missed out on during his lifetime. His answers will not be found in the physical world. He will only get them inside his own spirit. There are powerful choices to be made, requiring much change and commitment. He must stay in the spirit world.” This last bit sounded different than the rest Siri had revealed. She suddenly grabbed Gemma’s hand, her nails sinking in. “Gemini, you must promise me. You can not let go of the physical plane. No matter how enticing he is. You must stay grounded here .”
    “Don’t worry,” Gemma reassured Siri, not liking the crazed look that had returned to her mother’s eyes. This was the mother Gemma feared. The one who’d stripped naked and danced her at high school graduation. “I wouldn’t even know how to do that.”
    “Never learn.”
    Gemma shared a look with Tern, expecting to see her just as confused. But Tern was serious as the grave. Maybe not the best analogy she could have thought up. They needed to get this over with.
    She picked another card.
    Seven of Cups.
    “This is his present,” Siri said, seeming to have shaken off her ‘spell’. She was back to business, taking the card from Gemma and placing it in line with the others. “He’s been given a strange and wonderful gift, but beware, there is hidden danger. Don’t get lost in daydreams.”
    “Danger?” She swallowed.
    “The Seven of Cups also represents temptation, addiction, jealousy and emotion.” Siri looked directly at her. “To lie with him, Gemini, will create consequences that will be life lasting. Don’t get lost in your cups. The snake is on the card for a reason.”
    Why did she have to mention snakes? She hated snakes.
    “Siri, don’t put your own prejudices into the reading,” Rosie said. “Tell her what that really means.”
    Siri’s sorrow-filled eyes fell on Gemma. “I don’t want you hurt. He could steal you away into a place we can’t reach you. Dreamweavers are tempting seducers, and it’s easy to get caught up in their passion.” This sounded less instructional and more like she spoke of personal experience.
    “That is not going to happen. There is power in belief, right Mom? Haven’t you always told me that?”
    “Yes, and you don’t believe, do you Gemini?” Siri smiled as though expecting the same answer Gemma had always given.
    “This is a crap shoot, Mom.” But she was beginning to consider that there might be something to all this, and it scared the holy hell out of her.
    The next two cards reinforced what was said before. The Ace of Wands, the Chariot spoke of decisions to be made, with not a lot of time allowed in which to make them, stressing the need to embrace the chaos and focus emotions.
    Then Gemma pulled the Tower.
    The only sound in the room was the clicking of the second hand of the clock hanging on the wall. Rosie sat back in her chair while Tern covered her lips.
    “What does this mean?” Gemma asked.
    “He is a creative and disruptive force. The Tower is grounded in the earth but reaches into the Heavens.” Siri pointed back to the picture of Lucky. “Hasn’t he always reached for Heaven, driven in life to climb all these impossible peaks? But he will land on the jagged rocks of reality and be