The Psychic

Bob Tomolillo

O ' the folly of youth ,attempting to unlock the secrets of a life yet to be lived .First we tried LSD , then we analyzed the auras in "Kirlian" photographs. We made replicas of pyramids hoping to harness its mystical power.Then I met Mary ,the "psychic". She was well into her eighties at the time and the pride of the region.The local police telephoned her whenever someone went missing.She had a rare access into the non linear world ."Automatic Writing" they called it .I sat with her at the table while she scribbled waves of lines with her pen then awkwardly placed her three middle fingers across the marks.

What can I tell you ,she asked? So, I answered with all the obvious questions .Will I be married? Will I be rich ? We talked as she wrote a few notes on the page and responded with the answers I sought .

"I see two sons" , she replied out of cue.

" I'm not even married" ,I said dismissing her pronouncement.

But she leaned closer locking her eyes with mine and repeated the phrase .It wasn't until days later that I reflected on the two that I killed when my girlfriend made those trips to the abortion clinic . She found me out .It was true. I should have stopped there but then I asked about other things that would happen much later in my life .Things that I wish she hadn't told me because even now as an old man I am waiting and wondering if I had the power to alter the course of her predictions or are these events still yet to befall .I should have never asked .