Lewis & Ondarko - Best Friends 03 - Now and Zen by Pat Ondarko, Deb Lewis

continued. “This card at your feet says you are brave and true and this one at your right, the Star, means you will have help if you choose to use it.”
    “So that’s good?”
    “Well, not so good. Frankly, looking at the big picture, I’ve never seen so many negative cards, pardon me, challenging cards in one reading. Of course, I’m just a beginner, really,” she added hastily, looking up and seeing Pat’s face.
    Pat glanced down at the cards laid out on the table. The coffee no longer tasted good in her mouth. Even to her untrained eyes the cards looked all dark and foreboding.
    “Do you know where these challenges are coming from?” Pat asked.
    “See this card here? It seems like it’s sort of from a dark place out of time or space. It’s confusing. Well, that’s enough of that.” Scooping up the cards, Bev quickly shuffled them as if to get rid of the reading entirely.
    “You know you’re in charge of your own life. And you don’t need to worry. You’re surrounded by women friends and family. What better protection could there be?”
    “So, do you think you two could help with the serving tomorrow morning?” Pat asked. “The church ladies think we’ll have to serve in shifts for the breakfast. You won’t believe what a madhouse it was this morning at the church.”
    Neither woman balked at the request.
    “I’d be glad to help you,” Bev said. “With a Tarot reading like you just finished, you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
    “I better get back to work,” Lotta said.
    “Look at the time,” Pat said, standing up to leave.
    “Say, Pat, before you go,” Lotta said, catching them before they reached the door. “Did either of you leave this?” She held up a jacket. “It was left either last night or this morning, but with so many on the island… “
    Pat looked at the designer jean jacket.
    “Not me. Did you check the pockets?”
    “Just quickly. I was too busy to do more.”
    Pat took the jacket.
    “No, nothing in these pockets.” She reached inside on the right side. “Nope, nothing here.” She felt around one last time. “Wait a minute. Something is scrunched down in here. There, I’ve got it.” Pulling out a torn slip from a waitress’ order pad, she spread it on the table and quickly scanned it.
    “No, no name, sorry.” She looked closer at the note. “But this woman sounds like she’s got a problem.”
    “Read it,” Lotta and Bev said together.
    “Okay.” She read:
Sorry to leave you in a mess. That damn shit has just gone too far. Sure he’s cute, but he threatened me because I was late after work last night. He even tried to push me down. Can you believe it? Happened to my mom; will never happen to me.
Will call soon. Love yah, girlfriend.
    “There’s no signature.”
    The women were quiet for a moment.
    “Well, we can’t find her from this. Sorry,” Pat said.
    “No worries. I’ll just put it up on the message board,” Lotta said.
    “Message board? Since when has the island had a message board?”
    “Us? Honey, we all know each other’s business here. Small island, remember? No, this is the message board for your retreat. Linda put it up. “Better catch up, oh great leader,” Lotta teased. “They’re charging past you.”
    “Ain’t that the truth?”
    At that moment, Deb walked through the door into the crowded room.
    “You should see what’s happening out on the street!”
    “Don’t tell us. After my Tarot reading, I can’t take any more,” Pat joked.
    “There’s something I wanted to talk to you two about,” Lotta said, hesitatingly.
    “What is it?” Deb asked, noticing the tightness in Lotta’s face.
    “I’m not sure this is the right time. There’s too much commotion now and I have to get working on lunch. Remind me later, okay?”
    “Sure,” Deb replied, making a mental note.
    As Lotta walked to the kitchen, Deb and Pat joined Bev at the table.
    “You really should see outside,” Deb urged. “Someone put