Growing up with a superstitious mother, I’ve tried to stay far away from it as possible.

You see, I’ve always rolled my eyes when my mom screamed black cats, but I guess she sorta rubbed off on me in a way.

Whenever I see the number thirteen, my skin prickles before I have to quiet the superstitious part of my mind.

I love astronomy. Not astrology as a result.

My little sister, Goldie. (What kind of joke did my mother play when she named her daughter Silvia and Golda? I don’t know if I should be annoyed or grateful that my mom didn’t outright name us Silver and Gold) though is very superstitious and loves astrology.

I never believed her but sometime last year, she’s become achingly accurate.

“Silvia!” She cries. “Silvia!”

I was doing my geometry homework, so I looked up at her annoyed. “What?”

“Mom on her way to work tomorrow is going to have a car crash,”

“WHAT?”

“You need to help me! We can’t let her go to work tomorrow!”

Money was short so convincing Mom was like trying to stop a tornado.

“Maybe it’s not true?” I say.

“Like how the spoiled milk in your cereal was not true. Like how you breaking your phone not true? Like how…”

“Okay, okay, I get it,”

Goldie was in middle school but an absolute wonder at speech and debate, her elective. (Astrology wasn’t an elective, obviously)

“Why don’t you tell Mom?”

“Are you kidding? Then she’ll go ranting about how we can’t change the future and she’s doomed so she’ll go to work anyway,”

Despite myself, I almost smile. Goldie was so superstitious that I forgot how literal-minded she could be.

—————

The next day, we wake up bright and early and lock Mom up in her room.

Don’t worry. Goldie put enough food there to last three days and all her board games, puzzles, and basically anything to keep her entertained. And we would let her out soon.

Goldie looked guilty as Mom banged the door, saying she knew she shouldn’t’ve walked under that ladder the other day, but I punch her lightly on the shoulder.

“It’s okay, Goldie,” I say.

“You’re right,” Goldie gives a light smile. “A disaster was averted,”