My name is Passion, not the real name of mine, but it will do for this story. About three years ago I was traveling in North America, near the American-Canadian border where a small motel was found. Just one of these quaint little places found off the highway; that is high in the forested mountains, with a shop, diner, and a few rooms.

With this being late in the off season of travel, and it snowing up a storm! This was the first time I have seen or even touched snow in my life! I got stuck there at the motel for several days, and struck up a friendship with one of the workers, a lady by the name of Hopakaia.

Hopakaia lives at the motel, working in the gift shop and doing the various odd jobs of cleaning, laundry, and the like about the place. She also does some fortune telling for the guests who are interested in that thing. After her day was done, I was invited to her small apartment at the back of the place, where she offered a free demonstration of her abilities.

She did a few readings of my palm lines, in regards to such matters of how my life and family have gone so far, and did so with a stunning degree of accuracy. I and my family have always held that our fates are all pre-ordained, unknowable, but to a handful of people…and it looked like Hopakaia is one of them.

“You know Hopakaia, the future is already ordained for all of us, what the readers say is already meant to happen, and it shall happen.”

This caught her curiosity and made her pause for awhile as she sipped her coffee. Now I was drinking tea mixed with a strong whisky, some kind of home made stuff from what she said. The coffee drunk here in America is far too weak for my liking, more like drinking flavored water than real coffee; I like it strong enough that the spoon used stands up in it, before dissolving away.

“So, let me see if I have this strait, no matter what the future is shown to be, you will do it, because that is what will happen anyways, even if you don’t want to?” The look of curiosity and interest on her face were genuine. It was nice to share ones culture and beliefs with another person.

“Yup, that is the way it works. You cannot fight your fate, and like it or not, that is what will happen to you.” She went to get more tea and coffee, asking if I would like more of the whisky with it.

“Delighted to, its delicious when mixed together.”

I went quiet for a bit, thinking that there may be something she could do. “Can you do a reading of how my future in love and other things will turn out? Especially here in the Americas?”

This caused a peculiar smirk to cross her face, and seemed her eyes danced with an inner light. I just assumed at the time that meant she understood, and has a glimmer of my future fate.

“How do you mean by ‘other things’ in the way of love?” She was smiling slightly, hands cupping her chin, and a look of mischief growing; indicating she understood but was going to drag it out of me before doing anything.

“Just other things…” Now I started to feel a flush gaining on my cheeks and neck. Hopakaia grinned and nodded for me to continue speaking, relishing every moment of my total embarrassment. “I mean…will there be another one in my life…or more precisely…”

“Precisely as to what, this vagueness is not helping me in determining your fate.”

Finally I just took a deep breath, and spoke to her.