The Cynic

I was feeling particularly cynical when it came to tonight’s event. “Honestly, Chloe,” I said to my friend, “this whole thing seems like such a useless waste of time.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic, Lisa.” Chloe flashed me a determined smile. “This medium is said to be extremely talented, and I really need to talk to my cousin and get closure.”

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes as the Uber driver dropped us off at a nondescript little house with cracked stucco siding and dead flowers lining the walkway. “Guess she’s not so great at communing with plants,” I muttered.

“Come on!” Chloe ushered me through the door and into the parlor where a group of people sat around a table draped in black linen.

Everything was such a cliché, including the medium herself ~ an older woman dressed in purple layers with an elegant turban and a million bejeweled accessories. “Welcome,” she said to us as she dimmed the lights. “I feel there is a skeptic among us this evening.”

I tried to keep my face neutral, for I was reticent about revealing any emotions or information to these strangers, but the medium homed in on me and nodded. “Lisa, I am so glad you’re joining us. I’ve been waiting for you and so has someone else.”

What? I felt a cold draft and then something crackled and sparked, like from a fireplace, except there wasn’t one.

The medium’s face twisted into a hideous grimace and from her mouth came my first husband’s voice, “I know that you murdered me, Lisa.”

“I knew it!” Chloe screamed. “Oh my darling, Jeremy, don’t worry. I will avenge you!”

Holy crap! I hadn’t realized he’d been cheating on me as well as dumping our life savings at the track. “HE DESERVED IT!” I yelled at her, jumped up, and ran outside.

But there were a whole bunch of cops surrounding the house… and that’s my story of how they tricked me into confessing.

~*~
©️2022 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted.

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter 43.