Today, she wanted to look especially good. However, the reflection in the mirror no longer pleased her as it once did. Her skin wasn’t as firm as it had been in her youth, and there was a wrinkle beginning to form between her eyebrows.
Yes, thirty-six is no longer twenty. Her figure, of course, remained slim, girlish, but the eyes. The eyes were different.
The two bright blue shimmering lakes had turned into two dull ponds, hiding in their murky waters hidden feelings. The gaze had changed, and with it, the whole image had faded. The cheerful chatterbox and incorrigible optimist were no longer there.
After all, once upon a time, three admirers had competed for her hand. Why she chose Anthony, Ginny still didn’t fully understand. Most likely, it was because she saw in him that very reliability, stability, the proverbial stone wall.
From behind the door came her husband’s disgruntled voice. Ginny, how long are you going to take? I need to get ready for work. Ginny came out of the bathroom and asked in surprise.
What? Work? I thought you were going to stay with me today. We could go for a walk, just like before. Sit at a cafe.
Sorry, darling, there’s a rush at work, tons of things to do. No time for walks now. Anthony gave her a quick kiss as he passed.
I’ll come back in the evening. We’ll sit in the kitchen. Just the two of us.
A sigh of disappointment escaped the chest of the lonely birthday girl. Of course. The only place they could be together in this house was the bedroom.
And even that wasn’t always guaranteed. Ginny still remembered how, after the wedding, Rebecca always seemed to have some urgent need for her son’s help whenever the young couple tried to be alone. One time the couch had to be moved urgently, another time the glasses had mysteriously disappeared.
Only her father-in-law had any influence over her mother-in-law. Seeing all of his wife’s jealous tricks, he constantly had to pull her up and put her in her place. Yes, Robert.
Now he was a man. Calm, kind, tactful. He was the one who laid the foundation for the family business which, after his death, passed to his only son.
It was a shame he didn’t live long, just two years after Anthony and Ginny’s wedding. Ginny had always had warm, friendly relations with her father-in-law. Ah, he would often say, Anthony doesn’t even realize how lucky he is.
For a man, the most important thing is a strong, reliable foundation. A partner who will always support him. I’m so glad he has you, Ginny.
It’s a shame that the best people leave first. After a quick breakfast, her husband rushed off to the office and the disappointed birthday girl was left with her mother-in-law. An idea suddenly popped into her head to bake a cake for the evening tea.
Something simple, a Napoleon or a honey cake. Of course, she could go to the pastry shop, but homemade baking is always better. If she started right now, it would have time to soak by dinner.
Inspired by the thought, Ginny rushed around the kitchen, taking out the necessary ingredients from the fridge and cupboards. Her mother-in-law watched her suspiciously for a few minutes, then, in a disapproving tone, asked, What’s this you’re up to, Ginny? I’m going to bake a cake, she chirped cheerfully, getting the mixer ready. What cake? Her mother-in-law exclaimed, I went to the market yesterday, bought berries.
I was going to make jam. I have a whole day’s work ahead of me. You’re going to get in my way.
Let’s make it tomorrow, Ginny suggested awkwardly. I have the day off. I’ll help.
Or maybe we’ll have time after lunch today. I don’t need helpers like you. Her mother-in-law snapped.
Ginny, don’t occupy the kitchen. I told you. I have my own plans.
You should have thought of that earlier. Rebecca, please. Ginny pleaded.
It’s my birthday today, and in the evening we’ll all have tea together. But Rebecca just grunted. So what? It’s your birthday.
It’s not like it’s an anniversary. It was so upsetting it almost brought Ginny to tears, but arguing with this woman was pointless. Over all the years they’d known each other, her mother-in-law had never once made a concession.
No matter how hard Ginny tried, she had never become a true daughter to her husband’s mother. No. Ginny could no longer stay there.
After all, today was her day. Changing clothes and grabbing her bag, she rushed out the door and headed for the bus stop. It was better to spend the day alone than to listen to grumbling and undeserved reproaches.
On the minibus, a new idea suddenly struck her to visit that very shop where Anthony had bought the jewelry box. Maybe she could find out something about the mysterious note. Her husband had said the shop was near his office.
But after walking around the entire block twice, Ginny couldn’t find a single antique store. Perplexed and disappointed, she slowly walked down the street, squinting at the signs. Her feet led her to the park.
In a shady alley, by a bench under a huge linden tree, sat a frail old woman. On the small table in front of her were various trinkets. As soon as Ginny passed by, the old woman looked at her carefully and suddenly asked, You’re not looking for me, are you? The young woman skeptically glanced at the sign offering fortune-telling services, shook her head and hurried on.
She didn’t trust all these charlatans with crystal balls and tarot cards. But the next phrase from the fortune-teller struck her like a lightning bolt. I wrote you that note.
She called out from behind. That was unexpected. Ginny stopped abruptly and gave the woman a doubtful look.
Yes, your husband bought the jewelry box from me yesterday, she confirmed, pulling a crumpled bill from her pocket. Here, this is how much he valued the gift for his beloved wife. What? But he said, Ginny fell silent and bit her lip.
So he lied. There was no store. He even lied about the price.
Why? Ginny had never cared about money. He has a mistress, the old woman continued, I can see these things right away. He didn’t spare any money for her gift, he bought her an expensive necklace at a jewelry store.
But he haggled with me. Surprisingly, Ginny’s mind didn’t react to this remark at all. Not a single nerve cell twitched.
Only an overwhelming sense of a vast, gaping emptiness suddenly surged within her soul. The stranger had simply voiced what Ginny had suspected for a long time, but had been too afraid to admit to herself. And who is she? Escaped from the lips of the deceived wife.
The old woman merely shrugged. I won’t tell you her name, I don’t know. I only see that she’s very young with long light hair.
But you’re a fortune teller. I thought you knew everything, the young woman said, her voice tinged with disappointment. The old woman smirked.
It’s different for everyone. I only see pictures. The past.
The future. All in glimpses, very quickly. But I have to interpret them myself.
That’s when errors happen, she suddenly frowned. I never used to tell fortunes for money. It’s only recently that life forced me to come out here, selling my things, making enchanted talismans, and telling fortunes for everyone.
I’ve ended up having to pretend to be some kind of gypsy. But I used to work in culture. This elderly woman, with her calm demeanor and deliberate speech, seemed trustworthy.
Jenny stepped closer. What happened to you? Vanessa, the fortune teller’s name, had worked her whole life in a library. She had lost her husband when she was young and hadn’t accumulated much in terms of material wealth.