In The Cards

“Lady Diamond…,” Allan calls out as he paces into the back room. “The next couple is here.”

“I hear you boy!” She groans, struggling up and out of her armchair. “Allan my boy…. can you give this old lady a hand up?”

Allen rushes over to her. His concern was evident to see as he fusses and worries over her. Once up, Lady waves her hands and bats away his help.

Allen takes a step back and tuts.

“Boy,” she says in a somber tone. “Don’t fuss over me so much! I know this old body ain’t what It used to be, but this ol’ girl got still got some fire in her yet!”

Allen rolls his eyes and leans against a nearby piece of furniture.

“I know you do!” He grins. “I just didn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself! I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”

Lady Diamond takes a few slow steps towards him. Her frizzy grey hair bouncing with every step and her long red floral dress sways with the movement. Reaching up to his face, she gently places her withered hand upon his soft youthful face.

“I know you’re just looking out for me Allen,” Lady says softly while running her hand across his cheek. “Let's go and give this young couple a reading, shall we?”

Allen smiles, then quickly moves in front of her to pull back the curtain door. On the other side of the curtain was her reading space, where the young couple waited patiently.

“It’s a young interracial couple,” Allen explains as he holds the curtain to one side, allowing Lady space to enter. “I’ve set up all the stuff you need to read their couple compatibility.”

Touching his arm, as he holds the curtain aside, she slowly walks past him and smiles.

“Thank you, Allan,” she says entering the reading room. “I don’t know what this old lady would do without you.”

Lady Diamond's workspace is full of magical objects she’d collected over the years. The room was littered with hanging artwork and colorful materials.

Sitting in her reading chair, with a huff and groan, she spreads her hands across the table and touches her pack of tarot cards.

“Hello friends,” she softly greats. “What can this old Voodooist do for you for such a lovely young couple.”

The young man and woman look into each other's eyes and give each other a warming smile. Holding hands, the young female turns to face Lady Diamond.

“We’ve heard you the best in New Orleans at couple compatibility readings,” The stunning woman says with a heartfelt smile. “Me and John here have only just met, but we have fallen madly in love.”

Lady diamond opens the pack of cards and runs her wrinkled fingers across the smooth surface. Looking up at the smiling youthful face across the table, she nods.

“You young ’uns feel like you need a reading?” She questions with a single raised eyebrow. “If you’ve fallen in love, why do you need this ol’ girl's approval?”

Without saying anything, the young couple hold hands and nod profusely at each other.

“Yes, please!” the young man plea’s “I’ve never met such a wonderful woman. It feels like it’s destiny, and I’d love to know if our meeting is fate!”

Lady Diamond turns back to face Allen and shrugs her shoulders. Allen looks back at her with a smirk.

“Go on,” Allen says gesturing for her to continue. “You last reading before you retire is for love. That’s kinda nice, don’t ya think?”

“That’s true….” She grumbles. “Hopefully the cards have something nice to say about these fine young people.”

Turning back around to face the young couple, she gives them a wink.

“You seem like a lovely couple,” Lady says as she slowly shuffles the pack of tarot cards. “I hope you get the reading you want.”

Lady Diamond starts working the cards with the same amount of grace and wonderment, as she always did. Her passion and skill had never diminished with time or age.

As the cards are drawn, Lady explains their meanings clearly and with enthusiasm. She’s a true showman and a master of her art. Allen could only look on with pride, as the years seemingly drop away and her energy returned in droves.

The young couple's delight and thrill could be measured by the ear-to-ear grinning and the passionate kissing.

As the Lovers card is drawn, the young couple embrace.

Lady Diamond and Allen both look on with mixed emotions and forced smiles.

Although they both shared the same mixed emotions, about the young couple's destined love, they’d never told each other how they feel about their own love lives or lack of. A jealously falls over them both, as they both wish for that same joy of companionship, that the young couple has clearly found.

“I’m pleased for you both,” Lady says with a somber spirit. “Take this ol’ girl's advice. What you have both found is not easy to come by. It is beautiful and must be nurtured and allowed to grow naturally.”

The young couple holds hands and looks into the eyes of each other, as Lady talks.

“As much as I hate to admit it, in my old age, I’ve never found love like this,” Lady says giving the couple a forced smile. “Please remember, love is a partnership. You are a team. You must protect each other and communicate with each other.

Lady picks up the Lovers card, with her slightly trembling hand, and shows it to the couple.

“This was a compatibility reading,” she says as the couple gives her their full attention. “Put the work in, and your relationship will flourish.”

The young couple thanks Lady and Allen for their time, paying in full and wishing them both the best for the future. This leaves them both in silence as the room empties.

“Lady?” Allen says as he shuts the door behind the young couple and turns the sign to closed. “Did you really never meet anyone?”

Still sitting at her reading desk, she looks up at him and groans. Running her shaking hands through her straw-like grey hair, she gives him a wry smile.

“Allen my sweet boy,” she says as he moves closer to the table. “It just wasn’t destined for me to be alone.”

Seeing the sadness on her face, Allen swiftly moves around the table and places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“I’m lonely too,” he shares.

Lady turns around to face him. She could also see the sadness in his eyes and expression.

“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you boy!” she growls. “I bet you can’t wait to stop hanging around with this ol’ hack and get out there and meet some people of your own age!”

Allen takes a step away from her, turns his back, and starts needlessly organizing.

“No…..” he whimpers and his voice cracks. “That’s not true. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss you.”

Lady chuckles to herself, in the way only an old lady can.

“Allen,” she chuckles. “I’m old enough to be your grandma! You don’t wanna be seen hanging around with me if you don’t have to.”

Allen doesn’t answer, he just continues tidying and acting busy.

Lady finds herself intrigued by his reaction. She wonders if he’s fallen for her, but then quickly shakes that thought from her head and labels it ridiculous.

“That young couple was cute,” Allen speaks out, breaking the silence.

“They are one of the lucky ones,” Lady replies.

Allen turns and gives a small nod. His eyes are bloodshot, and he’s clearly upset.

“I almost wish I could have traded places with the guy,” he continues. “He’s so smitten with his girl, worshipping the ground that she walks on. A little like me and you, don’t you think?”

Lady throws a hand into the air, to the side of her face, and laughs.

“Allen,” she chuckles and coughs. “Did you just compare us to a young and in love couple?”

Allen’s face goes bright red and he frowns. Turning away, and tidying once more, he sighs.

“Forget I said anything,” he says huffing.

Lady sits staring at the back of the young man that she calls her assistant. He’d been with her for many years and had been extremely loyal and loving towards her in that time. That same thought kept popping into her head and this time it wouldn’t go away.

Lady shuffled the pack of cards and started wondering. Did he really love her?

Laying three cards out onto the table, as Allen keeps awkwardly tidying, she flips one at random. To her surprise, the card drawn was the Lover.

Staring down at the card, she couldn’t believe what fate was telling her. Her mind started whirring away, as possibilities lay themselves out before her.

“Allen,” she says as she swiftly puts the cards back into the pack. “I forgot to tell you, my Granddaughter is coming tomorrow to take my place at the shop.”

Allen turns back to face her, almost dropping the object he was holding with shock. The look on his face was one of pure confusion.

“Lady!” he says almost with a demanding tone. “You’ve never told me you have a granddaughter!”

Lady narrows her eyes and gives him a motherly look.

“Boy,” she says with insistence “Do I need to tell you everything about me…… are you, my husband?”

Like a naughty child, scorned by his mother, Allen sighs and shakes his head.

“Good,” Lady says as her body creeks as she stands. “I need you to be fresh for her tomorrow. I want you to go home early, so I can say goodbye to the old place alone…ok?”

“So wait….” Allen says almost interrupting. “The Voodoo store is still open… I still have a job?”

Lady throws him a disapproving look.

“Yes,” she says walking over to the curtain door. “Natalie, my granddaughter, will be here tomorrow. If you don’t go home right now, you won’t be her assistant.”

“Okay…okay…,” Allen says in solace, as he rushes to help her through the curtain door. “You sure you will be ok?”

Her body creaking with the movements, she swiftly gives him a wrap on the side.

“Get going!” she demands, as her body hurts from the swift moment.

Allen gives her a wry smile, grabs his bag, and makes his way to the front door. Opening the door, he looks back into the shop.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you!” he shouts back into the store. “I will come to visit you often!”

A sinister smile grows across Lady’s face as she hears his comments. Waiting for the door to close, she jumps into action, like a spritely young woman. Grabbing for one of her Voodoo texts, she plants it down on a nearby table and starts leafing through the pages.

“Ah!” she says gleefully, as she finds the information she was looking for.

Grabbing some vials and some equipment, she starts setting up a spell. Filling a wooden bowl with water, she pricks her hand and allows some of her blood to drop in. The deep red of her blood quickly combines with the water.

As quick as her withered body could move, she walks to the seat the young girl was sitting at, during her reading. Putting on her glasses, she searches for and finds a thick black strand of her hair.

Almost skipping with excitement, as much as an old lady could, she makes her way back to her spell. Dropping the hair into the bowl, she then adds a few more items and starts chanting.

As the words start flowing from her mouth, almost without effort and with a rhythmic fashion, her eyes roll into the back of her head. The mixture in the bowl had started to bubble and steam, swirling around within the wooden bowl.

Her chanting stops and without any thought, Lady grabs the potion and drinks the entire contents down.

Left exhausted by the whole experience, Lady struggles to breathe. Shaking and quivering, she struggles to move over to a nearby seat. Crashing down into the chair, like a sack of potatoes she, tries to catch her breath.

With all over the commotion, the Voodoo text she was reading falls to the floor in front of her. Lady looks down, still fighting for her breath.

“One…s-sleep…,” says speaks out with difficultly “W-will lead life to…r-repeat.”

An hour passes, as Lady recovers from her the potion she’d drunk. She awakes slowly in the chair she almost collapsed into. Rasing her withered and wrinkled hands to her face, she rubs her swore eyes and tries to get her vision to focus.

 Reaching for her glasses, that hang from a string around her neck, she puts them on and looks at the watch on her wrist.

Knowing she didn’t have long until the shops closed, her body creaks and groans as she forces herself out of the chair with all her might. Getting to her feet, she reaches for her purse and shuffles to the shop door.

Opening the door, she looks back into the shop.

“Natalie,” she says with a croak. “Natalie shall be my name, and I will live my life differently.”

Gently closing the door, she locks it and takes in a deep breath of the cold evening air.

“Tomorrow,” she smiles. “I must prepare for tomorrow.”

Slipping the keys into her purse, she starts walking towards her home. Each step felt like climbing a mountain. Her body was weakened and exhausted by the day's events. The weight from her large sagging breasts had never felt like such a burden. That wasn’t to mention the excess weight she carried around her waist and thighs.

Huffing, creaking, and groaning with every step, she shuffles herself down the street towards her home. The streets are crowded and noisy with people trying to get home, but she’s unnoticed by them. Most just see an old withered lady walking down the street.

As she makes her way, she remembers when she was young. Being a young Voodoo, she used to get lots of attention. Mardi gras was always wonderful, but these days, she felt almost forgotten. Having never met a soul mate, most evenings were spent alone.

A smirk forms on her face as she walks past a young trendy clothing store. Looking into the window at the skimpy outfits, she shakes her head at the apparel young people called clothing. Hoping that her spell would work, Lady decides it may be a good idea to have a look at how young people’s fashion hand changed.  

As soon as she enters the store, the loud music and bright lights immediately make her feel uncomfortable. Shifting and adjusting her long red dress, she starts feeling incredibly fat, as the thin and attractive staff glare at her as she enters.

“Hello, Ma’am,” one of the cheery blonde staff chirps, with her perky body and a bounce in her step. The staff member makes her way over to Lady, who is standing awkwardly at the front of the store. “Can I help you this evening, old-timer?”

Lady gives the girl a look of disapproval.

“Are all women's clothes like this these days?” she says as she feels the material of a bright white satin body-con dress. “This is so short! Do you young women not have any respect for yourselves anymore?”

The young staff member gives her an unimpressed face, Nervously tugging down her short dress, she tries her best to hide her long bare legs.

“Ermm…..,” the blonde girl mutters. “I don’t think we do….. granny clothing here.”

“Granny!” Lady growls. “Girl, you better take a step back right now. Who do you think you’re calling a granny!”

The young blonde girl jumps back as Lady barks.

“S-sorry Ma’am,” she says with a lip quiver. “I just meant this store only really does clothing for young people.”

Lady lets go of the dress and sighs.

“I got what you meant……Missy,” Lady growls and turns to leave. “Girl, you should dress a little more like you are visiting the in-laws and less like your about to work the streets.”

Knowing her hurtful comments landed, from the expression on the girl's face, Lady leaves the store and slams the door behind her.

After leaving the store, Lady found herself a little worried. For the rest of the journey home, she couldn’t stop thinking about the revealing clothing that she’d seen in the store. Never in a million years would she consider putting on such clothing. Even if her breasts were as perky as they used to be, she’d never show so much cleavage!

Once home, she has a meal for one and gets ready for bed. Wasn’t much point in staying awake. No one to talk to and a body that constantly aches. She couldn’t wait to go rest her weary head.

The next morning, her eyes ping open with no real reason. Reaching for her glasses, she feels refreshed and invigorated. Placing the glasses on her nose and pushing them back with her finger, she looks around the room with blurry vision.

“Ah,” she says with a grin. “Has this ol’ girl still got it!?” She cries as she jumps out of bed.

Gone was the body that creaked with every movement. Lady couldn’t believe how freely and without pain her body moved. Her body felt like it had been zapped with a million volts. Her shaking and sluggish movements were replaced with bouncing and zip.

As she darted across the room, she could feel her large and poor-fitting nighty fall from her shoulders. Then, once in front of the mirror, she claps with glee as a young gorgeous black woman stares back at her.

Moving closer to the mirror, she feels her smooth and wrinkle-free face for the first time in fifty years. Running her supple young fingers across every aspect of her face, she gives the biggest and brightest smile.

“Hunny,” she says clicking her fingers. “This ol’ girl still got it!”

Taking a step away from the mirror, she pulls a disgusted face as she looks at the off-white nighty she’s wearing. It looked like she was wearing a bin bag. Shaking her head, she quickly pulls it off and throws it to one side.

Pleased with how easy that was, with her new youthful joints and muscles, she left staring at herself wearing huge granny panties and a massive off-white bra. The bra hangs from her narrow shoulders and looks three or four sizes too big.

“Damn,” Lady smiles as she unhooks the bra. “Were my breasts really that saggy?” she asks as she disgrades the granny bra.

Catching sight of her new youthful girls, she gives them both a squeeze. She couldn’t believe how good they looked. Her nipples actually pointing forward! Bouncey and heavy, they make her feel sexy.

As she continues playing with her sensitive and perky mounds, her eyes start following her stunning hourglass figure. Her narrow waist and flat stomach make her squeal with joy.

Running her hands down her narrow soft sides, she’s stopped by the feeling of her granny panties.

“Girl,” she says smiling into the mirror and pulling down the large underwear. “This just ain’t guna do!”

Jumping onto the bed and throwing her legs up into the air, she quickly rips the old panties off and throws them carelessly.

Kicking the air with her legs, she runs her hands down her long supple smooth legs, she lets out another squeal of joy.

“I remember!” she cries out. “I remember having these legs! Oh, how I’ve missed you!”

As she plants her feet firmly on the floor, she takes a deep breath. Her sense seemed heightened, almost turned up ten times. That’s when she gives a naughty but playful smirk.

Opening her youthful legs, she starts running one hand up her smooth thick thighs. With a look up at the ceiling, she feels her moist, damp pussy for the first time in fifty years.

“Hey now,” she says with a shiver. “I’ve been neglecting you haven’t I?”

Remembering how sensitive it feels as she runs her fingers across it, she lets out a little moan.

Having to force herself to stop, she takes a deep breath in and shakes her head. Clumps of thick dark hair then proceed to fall in front of her eyes.

Brushing it out of her face, she playfully flicks her lush long hair.

“Oh,” she mutters as she tucks some hair behind her ears. “Seems I’m actually going to have to brush my hair again.”

Lady finds the rest of the morning a treat. Jumping and dancing around to music, she remembers what it is to be young and full of energy. She couldn’t wait to show Allen her new body. She couldn’t wait to fall in love.

Raiding her closet, she soon realizes she has nothing to wear. All her underwear was too large and in her opinion, just awful. All the dresses and outfits she owns, don’t fit either. Much too large.

Having no choice, she was going to have to visit a clothing store. Putting on the same outfit as she had on yesterday, not bothering with any underwear, she sets off from her home in the direction of her Voodoo store.

With her oversized dress flapping with her graceful movements and her lush hair dancing with every gust of wind, she knows exactly what store she’s going to visit.

Arriving at the store from the night before, she pulls a smug-looking face as the perky girl from last night approaches.

“Hiya!” the blonde girl chimes. “Can I help you?”

Lady looks her up and down and gives her a wide smile.

“Yes…yes you can!” she says pointing down at her ill-fitting old lady dress. “I need some new clothes.

The staff member looks down at her dress and recoils with a face of disgust.

“Argh, I can see you are in desperate need of some new things!” The blonde girl groans. “Where did you get this dress…. Your grandma?”

Lady’s usual response to the annoying girl in front of her would be one of derision, but for some reason, she was more excited than frustrated.

“I had a house fire and I’ve only got my neighbors stuff to wear,” Lady says with a smile. “I’ve gotta get to work this morning, so I just need something for the day.”

The blonde girl’s demeanor changed in an instant.

“Ooh,” she says flicking her hair from her eyes. “Let's get you something a little more your age!”

Even though she was disgusted by how slutty the dress was last night, she points at the white satin dress, that hangs from the window.

“I’m trying to impress a guy at work, so can I try that one on?” Lady says pointing.

The staff member nods and smiles. She then ushers Lady to the changing rooms, guides her into an empty booth, and closes the curtain.

“Miss,” she says through the curtain divider. “I noticed you….. don’t have any underwear on. I assume that’s all lost in the fire....?”

Lady chuckles as she looks at her youthful image in the mirror.

“Yeah, erm…,” she replies awkwardly. “I…need some yeah.”

“Any preference?” the staff member replies.

Lady doesn’t know how to answer. Things were a little different in her day.

“What kinda underwear do you have on?” She asks cautiously.

“It’s a matching thong and bra set…,” she answers without hesitation. “do you want me to get you something like it or would you prefer something more casual?”

Still staring at her youthful face, she playfully flicks her hair and poses into the mirror.
“Thong sounds good,” Lady answers. “Oh, please call me Natalie.”

Moments later, the staff member pulls back the curtain and hooks up several sizes of the dress, and hands Lady a matching underset.

Being extremely excited, she pulls the dress up and over her head and throws it in the corner. Snatching at the thong, she quickly runs it up her smooth legs and nestles her lady garden in gently. Then reaching for the bra, she quickly holsters her perky girls.

Unhooking the first dress, marked size six, she unzips the sides and steps in. The soft, light material tickles her supple skin, as she brings the small straps to her shoulders. The waist sinches in and clings tight to her curvey physique.

“Natalie,” the staff member asks from the other side of the curtain. “How are you getting on?”

Lady flings the curtain open, and with a huge smile, she pulls a sexy pose.

“I like it!!” she screams with joy. “What do you think….not too daring?”

The young girl looks her up and down and even spins her on the spot.

“No way!” she smiles. “This dress looks like it was made for your body. Would you look at your hips and that ass!”

Lady blushes

“I will take it!” she exclaims with a small clap of her hands.

The staff member nods, then from behind her back, she brings out a pair of stilettoes of matching color.

“I saw those frumpy old crocks you were wearing.” She says handing the high heels over. “I hope you don’t mind, I’ve added these to your bill.”

Lady takes hold of the heels. Having not worn heels for many years, due to her aging body, Lady was a little bit concerned about wearing them.

“Miss,” she says softly. “Err…have you got something a little less….high?”

The staff member puts a hand on her hip and sighs.

“Natalie,” she groans and points down at Lady’s feet. “Trust me, those heels complete your look. Your body will be rocking!”

Lady shakes her head with unease. “I haven’t worn heels since I was young.”

The staff member throws her a puzzled expression. “O….kay,” she replies. “I’m telling you now, it would be a crime for you to wear that dress with the shoes you came in with.”        

Urged on by peer pressure, Lady slips on the shoes and is impressed by how easy they went on. Rising up onto the heels, she wobbles but quickly steadies herself.

“Perfect!” The staff member claps and grins. “Let's go till it up and get you off to work. I’m sure you’d rather not be late!”

With a smirk on her face, Lady takes controlled small steps and follows behind.

“This this hasn’t got any easier over time, has it?” Lady comments as she pays for the items.

The staff member gives her another bemused expression, before handing her a receipt and a bag full of her old granny clothing.

“How old are you?” she asks with interest. “You don’t look a day over twenty-five, but you keep talking like you’re much older.”

Taking hold of the bag and taking small steps towards the door, Lady flicks her hair and throws the girl a wink. “A lot older….than I look!”

It takes Lady a little longer to get to the shop, walking in her heels. She’d usually be out of breath, but she felt raring to go. Pushing open the door, she quickly makes her way into the back room and soon realizes how much of a mess she’d left the night before. The Voodoo spell she’d cast, just out for anyone to read.

The spell was on the floor, so reaching down was going to have to be elegant, whilst wearing heels. Grabbing hold of a nearby table, she leans down to pick up.

Her heavy boobs press on the outside of the dress, almost popping out as she leans down. The dress also riding up her waist, to the point she could feel the lower half of her ass cheeks, out for the world to see.

Then, a familiar voice croaks nervously behind her.

“E-er…..h-hello,” Allen mutters as Lady instantly stands up straight, pulls her dress down, and goes bright red. “Y-you…. look… erm…I mean…a-are you Natalie?”

Blushing, Lady continues pulling down her dress to cover as much as she could. Not being able to look him in the eye, she gently nods.

“O-oh,” Allen answer bashfully. “I’m….Allen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Lady, feeling the warmth of embarrassment on her cheeks for the first time in years, gives a curt smile.

“Ah….,” Lady pauses and pulls up the neckline of her dress to cover more of her cleavage. “I’m… Natalie. I’ve left…. I mean… Grandma’s letting me take over.”

Allen goes bright red, nervously looking around the room, at anything but her.

“So… we are going to be working together?” he asks.

Bashfully rubbing her arm… Lady smiles.

“Yeah, we are and I have a feeling that we are going to get on like we’ve known each other for years.”

Allen grins and their eyes meet. “Really?” he asks with optimism.  “What makes you say that?”

Confidently stepping forward, Lady stands in front of him. With her heels, she stands looking at him eye to eye.

“I’ve seen it in the cards,” she grins wide.

Taking hold of his hand, she gently places it against her side. Allowing her to do so, she could feel him shaking with nervousness.

“In the c-cards….?” He croaks as Lady pushes her perky breasts against his full chest.

Lady smiles and runs a single finger throw his long brown hair.

“Yeah, I’ve been told a lot about you.,” She says gently. “So I did a reading about us…. and I pulled a Lover card. I can’t help but feel this is destiny.”

Allen gulps.

“You're interested… in me?” Allen asks in disbelief “But you’re so…. beautiful!”

Going as red as a ripe tomato, Lady couldn’t help but feel so happy for that comment. With tears of happiness welling in her eyes, she kisses him quickly on the cheek.

“I’m interested!” she smiles. “I can’t wait to take you to dinner tonight!”

Allen looks shocked and holds his hand against where Lady had kissed him.

“Y….yes..,” he mutters. “I would really really like that!”

He holds Lady close and looks deep into her eyes. They both start understanding what they’ve been missing. The love and companionship they’d both dreamed of, starting to bloom in front of their very eyes.

Lady can’t help but stare into his sky blue eyes and feel her body responding

 “I would like it too.” She says with the widest smile.