Cartomancy by Kristin Cook Page A

husband. “This isn’t my first day of parenting you know. I told
her it was fine as long as she bought it herself.” Astrid’s father
looked quite impressed with his wife’s notion, and realized for at
least the tenth time that day that he really did marry quite a gal.
“Good. Although, I think you may be underestimating our only child,
she has a knack for getting what she wants.” Her mother thought
about this for a minute and remembered the belly button piercing
debate. “True enough dear, we will just have to keep an eye on her,
and try to be supportive of her money making schemes.” Astrid’s
father took his wife’s beautiful hand in his and kissed it. “Try
not to call it a scheme dear. Anyway we don’t have to worry about
that this weekend, I just spoke with your mother on the phone, and
she wants to take Astrid for a few days.” He winked at his wife. In
the same instant Astrid’s mother quickly had two simultaneous
thoughts: “that’s good” and “oh no.”
     

Chapter 3
     
    If there was one thing Astrid knew for sure
it was this: her grandmother would give her anything she wanted.
This was not false pride talking; her grandma pretty much said it
to her on a daily basis. “You are the love of my life, precious
girl, and I will give you whatever your heart desires.” This was
her grandma’s response anytime Astrid asked for anything. It drove
Astrid’s mother crazy, but somehow she got away with it. Astrid
supposed there were special rules set aside just for grandparents.
However, a coffin from one’s own grandmother was too ghoulish, even
for Astrid, especially since her grandpa had just died the previous
winter, plus she wasn’t trying to freak her grandma out. She dearly
loved her grandma, and she felt sorry for her now that she was all
alone. They spent lots of time together doing crafts and going to
the library. Astrid’s grandma dearly loved to toy with Astrid’s
parents and she supposed it was her grandma’s only form of
entertainment besides going to bingo. “I was thinking about what to
do for a summer job.” Astrid said to her grandma. “Oh exciting!
Tell me what you’ve been thinking.” Her grandma put down her
crochet needles and turned off the television. “Well, I was
thinking about Fortune Telling, what do you think?” Astrid asked.
“Well, my dear you do come from a long line of travelers.” She
winked at Astrid. “Come on grandma, you always say that and I have
no idea what it means. Every time I ask mom she says it isn’t true,
and that we really come from a long line of accountants.” Her
grandma scoffed at this idea. “Your mom says that because it’s what
your grandpa always told her. Some people don’t like the truth
Astrid my dear.” She said continuing her crocheting. “So, what do
you think?” Astrid asked again. “Well I do have an old deck of
cards in the attic. I haven’t used them in years. But, if you’re
going to do this properly, we need to get some books on the
subject. I can only teach you so much.” She got up and kissed
Astrid on the forehead. “Teach me what?” Astrid asked rather
confused by the entire conversation. “Fortune telling, haven’t you
been paying attention?” She laughed. “Get your stuff together;
we’re going to the library.” Her grandma said looking for her keys.
“Grandma, I have my tablet, I can just search fortune telling
online.” Astrid said reaching for her backpack. “Oh no ya don’t
missy, computers make people lazy. We’re going to the library to
check out actual books.” Astrid rolled her eyes “Come on grandma,
computers aren’t as bad as you think.” She held up her tablet to
her grandma. “It won’t hurt you I promise!” She laughed. “When I
was your age all we had was the library. We looked for books in a
card catalog and wrote things down… on real paper and with
pencils!” Now her grandma was getting all worked up. “Ok, calm down
grandma.” She said laughing. Astrid had