#TimeTravelingGhost 32 -1937 - S

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 19 Nicknames

“Au passé, car nul autre gage n’est donné.” We clinked glasses, and I savored Miss Pang’s mystified look. I hoped it was in reaction to the toast’s mystique, not incomprehension. But to be sure, I translated, “To the past, for it is all we are assured of.”

“An odd toast for someone who claims to foretell the future,” Miss Pang said with enough curiosity that I felt I’d hooked her. By the door, Emily gave me a V sign.

“Indeed, and not a toast I normally use. You’ll remember the darkness I alluded to. I was brief to spare our companions distress. It would have been more accurate to say darkness and flames. For reasons I’ll get to, I can’t spare you that. But first, I’ll need to convince you I’m not a charlatan. Am I right? I don’t even need to read your mind to know that’s what you’re thinking.”

She laughed, raising her glass. “To skeptics and charlatans.”

I signaled the steward by holding up two fingers and pointed to myself and Miss Pang.

“And now convince me.” Her challenge made my transition to the next stage easy, so I related the story about her hamster.

“You have my interest.”

“I also see two secrets: an oak tree and a broken swan.”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion sharp in her gaze. The question “spy” lurked there, so I took a chance, saying, “And I’m not who you’re afraid of.”

I didn’t elaborate. Instead, I let her draw her own conclusions. Denying I was a German spy would only confirm that I was. If I left it unsaid, she would wonder if that’s what I meant, but she wouldn’t dare bring it up herself.

“If you’re a charlatan, you’re well informed. Tell me the nickname my first girlfriend gave me.”

I twirled my glass, signaling Emily I needed her, then spoke. “It’s harder to read thoughts like that, but I’ll try.”

While I waited, I concentrated, then looked at her, wide-eyed as if embarrassed.

Emily’s voice came from behind me: “I’m here.”

“Would the girlfriend who gave you the nickname be the one at St. Marks?” I asked.

Miss Pang flushed while Emily said, “Her name was Carolyn Luster, and she called me ‘Pancake’ or ‘Sweetcakes.’ We loved to talk late into the night #fixing the world’s problems. Her poodle was named ‘Blot’ because of the black spot on its rump. There were three moles above Carol’s right breast. She moved when her #home burned down. The priest said it was God’s judgment—l’imbécile.”

“If you mean Carolyn Luster, she called you Pancake or Sweetcakes. Do you want me to tell you about her moles or how you found out about them?”

“How do you know that?” she asked, peering at me.

“I told you how. Now we can play this game all day, or you can believe me. I’ve told you several things only you know.”

“One more: what happened after I found out about the moles?”

“Things that would be embarrassing to talk about, but also you tried to become a nun.”

“Okay, I believe you. What now?”

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel