“Yeah, I'll take a pack of Freedom Classics and a red lighter, please.” The handsome and well-dressed man says from across the counter.

Jesse turns around and opens up the sliding door of the cabinet to take a pack of cigarettes out before turning back and putting it on the counter. Then she picks out a blue lighter from the lighter stand and sets it down. “Pack of Freedom Classics and a blue lighter. That'll be 21 dollars and 56 cents.” Jesse says without a second glance.

“Ugh, I said it was a–” The man says before being interrupted.

“I said that would be 21 dollars and 56 cents. Will you be paying with cash or card?” She repeats, moving the transaction along.

“Ugh, card.” The man says, absentmindedly taking out a card.

“Please pay at the prompt.” She says, watching as an older woman gets in line. Jesse sighs. Work is so tiring… Planting karma seeds is such a bitch… She thinks, somewhat tired.

The man taps his card and Jesse pushes his cigarettes and lighter towards him.

“Thank you, have a good day.” She says, concluding their business before moving on to the next transaction.

“Can I get a pack of Freedom Class–” The woman says before being interrupted.

“May I suggest a bottle of water or a bottle of Ambrosia; for red wine it’s pretty damn good.” Jesse immediately suggests, not waiting for an order.

The older woman lets out an amused chuckle. “Are you suggesting that instead of a pack of cigarettes, I either get a bottle of water or a bottle of booze?” She asks, not sure if the Jesse was being serious.

“Maybe this isn’t a day for bitterness? It might feel good to wallow.” Jesse says, coaxing the woman into a deal.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The woman lets out another laugh. “I like you, girl. You’re better than a tarot card reader. I’ll take a bottle of Ambrosia, thank you.” She says, enjoying the exchange.

Jesse smiles. She finds the bottle and places it on the counter. “46 dollars and 38 cents.” Jesse says, closing the deal.

The woman pays with a smile and takes the bottle. “Have a good day, sweetie.” She says before moving to exit the store.

Jesse sighs at another transaction. I wonder what Taylor and little Lily are up to? She thinks, her mind wandering to her daughter. She had left her with Taylor to babysit; unfortunately she had to go to work. As she thought about it she grew somewhat disgruntled. How come the world always seems to have a job for me while Taylor gets to sit on his ass all day? She thinks bitterly. If anything he should be working way harder, considering… She thinks before shaking her head and sighing. Why is that asshole in my life? She wonders, unsure what the world intended by matching them together. Bastard won’t even marry me… Now he won’t even have sex with me… “Ugh!” Jesse exclaims, wanting someone to strangle.

I should have just stayed with, Johan. A life with him would have been beautiful. Why is life so confusing? How did I even end up with Taylor anyway? Jesse thinks, letting her mind wander. I went out for a job, and as the plane landed I was complaining to Johan about my curse and he was comforting me. I think I said something like ‘If I could take their place, I would’… She thinks before her eyes widen as she recalls the moment. Shit… Did I feel a surge of energy then? Why do feel like that those words were the payment for a contract? She begins to wonder before letting out a groan. Why is the world such a bitch… She thinks before ignoring it and going over all her interactions with Taylor. Wow, I kind of let loose around him, huh… I let loose around him… Jesse thinks before the words catch and she begins to explore them.

Jesse’s eyes open wide. Holy shit! She thinks as she realizes something. In her everyday interactions with normal people or anyone she didn’t trust or was careful to harm, she watched her words very carefully. She learned at a young age that if her words leaned a little too close to a certain direction, the people around her would follow that direction to as far as they could push it. People just happened to be idiots around her so even as she was growing up she had to play the mom and be the mature one; carefully controlling her words so they would push in a direction without disclosing her intentional involvement.

But apparently I just don’t care around Taylor? I immediately let my guard down and had sex with him the first chance I got… And nothing disastrous happened… During dinner… during our trip… at the hairdressers… during our crime fighting spree… then he left and… fuck… Jesse exclaims in her mind as she remembers what happened. She had let her guard down for so long that she thought she was finally getting better, so she went on a sightseeing trip to relax… And a war happened… Is Taylor like medicine for me? I have to take him every day before bedtime or I lose my shit? Jesse thinks, not quite understanding the situation.

The bell rung and another customer entered the store.

“40 dollars on pump 7.” He says without a thought as he simply goes about his day.

Jesse takes a moment to look at the man’s karma. I smell an opportunity, but the man is either too busy to care or too dense to realize what he wants. I’m going to fuck you a little, my friend. Hopefully you find the right direction. She thinks as she puts in 30 dollars for pump 7. The man pays without thinking and leaves the store. Better not come back for more gas, asshole. Or the opportunity will be gone. She thinks, not caring either way how the transaction would go down.