The Legend of the Rose. The Price of Betrayal

— Stop shuffling the deck, grandma— I ask, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table.

— What, does the Ratty little thing won’t let you sleep?

— He’s back.

— And you’ve curled your tail—she adds, crushing a cigarette out in an ashtray.

Skillfully shuffling the cards, she offers to draw one. I do what she says and hand her the jack of spades. When she spreads the fan, she frowns hard and starts tapping the red wood of the table with her knotted finger.

— Well?

— What, well! You’re a fool!

— Why?

— A fool of a woman!—she starts to croak and laugh, and my skin goes cold at the sound of her laughter. “Fool and that’s it! You don’t think with the right part of your body. You’ll tear your legs to the blood while chasing after your lover. And when you realize you ran in the wrong direction, it will be too late,” she waves her hand at me hopelessly. “I keep telling you—fool.”