<< destiny was nowhere near as easy as it sounds....~

~Upon arrival at our destination, somewhere east of Paris, France, Dya and I get right to work setting up the ofsica(fortunetelling booth)>>

<< I work quickly and efficiently, as I do this at least once a week. When it is fully set up, I reach inside the van and grab my cards>>

<< pendulum and crystal ball and place them inside the ofsica. As I set the cards down, one falls out and my Dya, always quick on the >>

<< picks it up and looks at me, her wrinkled face instantly looking sad~ Chey? You're leaving me, aren't you love? ~I can't look the old >>

<< woman in the eyes. The woman who birthed me, raised me and loved me. Taught me the ways of the Roma, and made me promise I would >>

<< never, ever leave her. To my surprise, she smiles and laughs a lighthearted laugh~ I always knew this day would come. You are far too>>

<< much of a free spirit to ever be tied down by anyone, including your own Dya. ~I look up at her as she continues~ Chey...Syeira...you >>

<< must follow your heart. Suflet vise(sprirt dreams) never lie. If leaving is what it instructed you to do, even a promise made by a >>

<< child so long ago cannot hold you back. ~My dya, the woman who speaks very seldom, takes a deep breath after this long winded speech >>

<< and I finally look at her, and take this opportunity to speak~ Dya...Te iubesc(I love you). Can you ever forgive me for leaving you? >>

<< ~She looks at me, and runs her hand along my cheek~ Of course Chey. But promise to visit your poor old Dya, and tell me of the >>

<< destiny you found? ~I nod once~ Go Chey. Take your things and leave the ofsica to me. Before you change your mind. ~I softly kiss >>

<< cheeks and grab my things. Having no way of knowing the last promise I made to my Dya would end up being the last lie I ever told her.~

*I traveled far from the spot where Dya and I said our goodbyes. I must be honest, the first few nights, I cried myself to sleep. I had >>

<< never been away from home, and it is a little scary. But I felt that I had something waiting for me, just up the road, so I kept going>>

<< never even once thinking of heading back. Soon, I came upon a small tavern outside of Volterra, Italy that offered shelter, as well >>

<< as something to drink, and some vile food to eat. Something told me that even though the place smelled of rancid beer and sweat, >>

<< something waited for me here. I ordered some food and some rum, and scanned the crowd...waiting*