visit to a psychic

M and I are not particularly spiritual.  But M knows a psychic in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. M met her at a company event at Gillette years ago. If nothing else, we figure it'll be an adventure. And besides, Portsmouth is supposed to be nice.

It's a gorgeous winter's day.  We expect a picturesque New England town, but instead find a rather sad, barren one.  The streets are empty, and the stores are more commercial than charming.  Even our psychic is on the third floor of an office building.

We walk into a rather kitschy space.  Magic candles and inspirational sayings fill the room. 















Betty immediately recognizes M even though they met only once and that was 18 years ago.  M is relieved.    

Both M and I have each scheduled a half hour session; I go first.

I enter a second, smaller room. It is dark and unadorned.  Pictures of guru-like people hang on the wall.  Betty begins by asking my age,  "Are you 50?"   "No," I say, "I'm 62."  I want her to act surprised.  Tell me I look so much younger.  Instead she just says, "Oh, you're the same age as I am."

Of Alexander, Betty says:

• He has a father-like relationship with a man who is ethnic.  (Alexander is very close to  his paternal grandfather who is from Capri).

• He is going to make a name for himself.

• He will make a decision regarding what he wants to do by this summer.

• He will marry once, in his late twenties.  I will like his wife.  They will have two children, a boy and a girl.

Of me, Betty says:

• You need to go out and live.  You have been stuck for far too long.

• You will meet someone within two years, through work, with whom you will have a great relationship.  He will have children, be cute, and have salt and pepper hair.

• "Your mom needs your love and attention.  I see her slowing down in two to four years. I don't see your dad.  Is he still alive?

• "Are you involved in television?" Betty asks.  I tell her I was. She thinks I should stay in it.  "You are good there," she says, then adds, "You were an actress in a previous life."

• You have  a lot of anxiety around money.  "Things will be hard for a while more, but will eventually be okay.  You will be able to have the lifestyle you want."

Some of what Betty says is generic, some is not.  I like what she sees for my future, and so I will believe her.