They ate, and then Sumi took out a piece of paper with at least twelve names on it, complete with phone numbers and websites.

“I can’t believe you managed to wait till after dinner,” he said.

“I know!” she said. “I’ve been dying to show this to you, but your mother said we should feed you first. So.” She pointed to the first name on the list. “This one I like because her tarot readings are good. Not phony. Hi, Pebbles, yes, baby.” She handed the dog a piece of pork, then pointed at the paper again. “This one, nice, but not always on, you know? When she is, she’s super. Angela? She’s amazing, but you can never get an appointment, she’s that good. If you’re lucky, a person cancels and you can get in. This guy here, I like him a lot, but sometimes I think he’s making things up. Every time I go, he tells me I’m about to meet my soul mate. Which, come on. I have a wedding ring on, mister! I already did that!”

Ben smiled. “True. She did.”

Josh cleared his throat. “How many of these have you been to, Sumi?”

She leaned back in her chair. “All of them. I’ve been doing it since my mother died in 1992.”

“Wow.” That was a lot of money down the toilet.

Ben glanced at him with a little shrug and a smile. “Whatever makes her happy.”

“Even I went once,” Mom said.

“What?” Josh almost choked with surprise.

She shrugged. “Why not? It was fun. He said there was travel in my future, and there was travel in my future.”

He rolled his eyes. “There’s travel in everyone’s future, a person could say.”

She laughed. “It was an experience, Joshua. Be open to new things.”

“I’m trying. I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Why not?” she asked, sipping her tea.

“Because you tell me everything.”

“Clearly not.”

“Is there anything else you’re hiding? Do you have any more children? Did you secretly marry my birth father?”

“Joshua.” She gave him her best calm yourself look. “I have no idea where your father is or even if he’s alive.”

“Your psychic didn’t tell you?”

“I never asked.” She ate a piece of broccoli. “But in case you were wondering, your grandmother watches over you and loves you.” She winked at him.

Josh sighed. “I think this will probably be a waste of time.” He glanced at Ben. “Will you come with me?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it,” Ben replied.

HE CHOSE THE medium named Gertie because it felt like an honest name. There was one named Moonflower, another named Ariella Borealis, which Josh did not think was her given name and which therefore presented credibility issues.

Gertie Berkowitz, however . . . that was a name you could trust.