Holly Banks Full of Angst (Village of Primm, #1)(95)

Say, I’ve been thinking. Maybe if I started paying attention to myself, you know, take my interests in film more seriously, I’ll feel better about Ella starting kindergarten. I felt so good making that film—like I had the gift all along—like Dorothy’s red ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz. There’s no place like home.





How are you, Psychic Betty? You good?





EMAIL—Time Received: 12:12 a.m.

TO: Holly Banks





FROM: Psychic Betty, Psychic Hotline Network





SUBJECT: Your Location in the Solar System





You live on Earth. At least, I think you do. (The way you’ve been talking, I’m not so sure.)





Your questions about Mercury are valid. Maybe Mercury is a bit of a bully. But Mercury doesn’t mean to be. Sometimes, it can’t help itself. Mercury retrogrades. You can’t blame it for retrograding—it’s Mercury. That’s what Mercury does. The question becomes: How are you going to handle yourself when Mercury retrogrades?





And by the way, have you stopped to consider Mercury’s feelings? Maybe having an orbit that—when viewed from Earth—makes it appear as if it stops, and then travels backward for a while, makes Mercury feel like everyone else thinks MERCURY is crazy. Maybe Mercury is crazy; I don’t know. Maybe Mercury is a bully; I don’t know. But maybe, just maybe, Mercury means well but is misunderstood. Maybe Mercury feels like an outsider.





Holly, may I ask? Who is Mercury? I sense it’s someone in your life. Someone you’re having trouble getting along with. Someone you’re trying hard to understand, but that understanding is eluding you. Mercury isn’t traveling backward in the night sky when it retrogrades. It only appears that way. Mercury’s doing the same thing Earth is: orbiting the Sun.





And I thought your saying I was your best friend was nice. It wasn’t creepy at all. It brought a smile to my face, and I thank you for that, Holly Banks. A relationship with a psychic adviser should feel special. But I encourage you to look for friendships with people in your “real” life, in addition to your “online” life. I suspect there are many women just like you seeking friendship. My advice? After you’ve “broken the ice” by discussing your children, focus the conversation on each other. Discover who you each are, outside of your roles as wife and mother. It’s at that deeper level where you’ll find true friendship.





You mentioned living in the Village of Primm. I’m so sorry to hear about Plume. She was a lovely peahen and an inspiration to so many. Have you heard what’s been happening at Dizzy’s? Piles and piles of pickled beets and alfalfa sprouts were just added to the salad bar. All you can eat. Now THAT’S something to celebrate! Although, I don’t understand chickpeas on salad. But I do like hummus!





Psychic Betty





P.S. Why did the pescatarian go deep-sea fishing? No reason. She went for the halibut.





Click HERE to ask another question.





Click HERE to answer our “What is your favorite salad topping?” survey.





Click HERE for directions to Dizzy’s Seafood.





EMAIL—Time Sent: 12:15 a.m.

TO: Psychic Betty, Psychic Hotline Network





FROM: Holly Banks





SUBJECT: Wait. Where is YOUR location in the Solar System?!?!?!?!?!?!!





I clicked on the link for directions to Dizzy’s Seafood, but nothing came up. The link must be broken. How do you know about Plume?! Do you live in Primm? No. Let me guess. You live in Southern Lakes. You do, don’t you? How is life in Southern Lakes? Is it normal? The way it should be? I bet it’s wonderful.





Mind if I ask? Do you have crabgrass?





39





Friday, fourth day of kindergarten


The alarm rang. Six thirty.

“Ella, sweetie, wake up.” Holly kissed Ella’s cheeks. “It’s Friday. Our first week of kindergarten almost complete.” Ella looked so cozy beneath the sheets. Holly couldn’t help herself. She climbed under the covers and snuggled in. “We need to get up, Ella-Bella Cinderella. Let’s get you to school.” Holly yawned. It was so warm beneath the covers, and Ella’s body was so soft and tiny, and she smelled like kid shampoo. Holly rolled over to snuggle Ella into her arms, and before she knew it . . .

“Holly Tree! Ella!” Greta shook them awake. “The bus’ll be here in ten minutes.”

“What?” Holly sprang up, realizing she fell asleep in Ella’s bed. “How’d this happen?”

“I’ll get her backpack.” Greta rushed downstairs.

Holly threw back the covers, swooped Ella into her arms, and ran with her into the bathroom.

Jack was shaving. “Oh, no. Not again.”

“Why didn’t you wake us up?”

“I thought you were downstairs.” He snatched his watch off the counter. “Oh, no. No—Holly. Bus’ll be here in ten minutes.” Jack did that “Jack” thing.