In no time we were all gathered around the little round table waiting for Mama’s hot tea. This old table was where Mama did her divination and card readings, so I wasn’t surprised to see Mama standing there holding a deck of Tarot cards in her hands.

Wanting to just get to it, I was grateful when Mama said, “Let’s wait on the tea until after the readin’, so everybody gather ‘round. Y’all sit down now so you can ask your questions, and then Mama will answer with the cards.”

Card readings were pretty common in New Orleans and Mama’s powerful readings were known far and wide. After a few shuffles of the ancient cards, Mama looked at Maggie and said, “Okay, let’s hear those questions!”

Layla was giggling and kicking the sides of the stroller as Maggie asked the first question.

“Mama, what do you mean when you say that Layla is special?”

Mama deftly shuffled the deck again and then she dealt three cards, all face up.

Looking at us now, and then back at the cards, she said, “Okay, here we have the card called the Hierophant, next is the Ace of Cups, and then we have the Queen of Hearts.”