She beams happily, “We’ll get to that. Come, come! And please, just call me Aggie.” She bustles us into her flat that looks like it’s a snippet of English Home and Country Magazine. My eyes widen as I see hutch after hutch after hutch filled with…“Salt and pepper shakers!” she sings, answering my silent question. “I’m a bit of a collector. I have a set dated back to King George the III! Do you want to see?”
After a polite amount of time oohing and aahing over her collection, she leads us into her kitchen. Benji is out of town, apparently at some comic book convention, which is just extra convenient for me. I would prefer not to have him around while we do this.
She offers us a seat at her round, retro-style table with sea foam green chairs and a white and green designed top. It’s a bright room with lots of natural light streaming in from the pigeon-scattered window. On the table she’s got some votive candle holders, a deck of tarot cards, and what appear to be some tuning forks.
“I haven’t told him why we’re here yet, Aggie, so just one second.” I turn and look at Hayden’s quizzical expression as he adjusts in his chair to face me. “Hayden, Benji’s aunt is a psychic.”
“Okay,” he replies slowly, his expression wary.
“She specialises in numerology.” I touch his arm encouragingly and he instinctively shifts closer to me.
“Interesting,” Hayden says politely, crossing his cuff-covered wrists over each other on the table.
“I thought we could talk to her about 11:11 a bit.” My eyes watch him as I see it all click together. His jaw clenches.
“All due respect, Miss Aggie, I’m not sure this is necessary.” He moves to stand up, so I reach out and hold him down.
“What could it hurt to just get a little background information on the number, Hayden? It could be really interesting.”
His jaw shifts side to side, but I see that look in his eyes. That look that shows how utterly difficult it is for him to ever say no to me. “Fine,” he snaps and shifts in closer to the table.
Aggie beams. “Brilliant! So tell me, what specifically did you want to discuss today, love?”
I look to Hayden who is doing his best to remain polite, but is visibly struggling with this. “Well, Aggie, my boyfriend here has a strong connection to the time 11:11, and I wondered what kinds of things you can tell us about the meaning behind that number. I assume you may have some insight.”
“Oh yes, certainly. I’ve studied numerology for many years and it is incredible how much it plays a part in our everyday lives.” She moves her glasses to the top of her head and leans her plump arms on the table as she continues. “Some say that 11:11 is the angelic hour. It’s when your angels can send you messages. Specifically noticing it on a regular basis is often times the Universe’s way of providing a wakeup call so to speak. It’s a sign that you’re about to embark on a journey of discovery.”
“How do you mean?” I ask, glancing at Hayden who seems to be listening intently.
“Well, often times, 11:11 can help you unlock parts of your subconscious that you have maybe been hiding from yourself or not sharing with anyone. It’s just a symbol to help you get in sync with the greater workings of the Universe. The Universe has a purpose for you. Whether you believe it or not, there’s a reason you’re alive!” She chuckles gaily.
I cringe slightly recalling how in Hayden’s speech, he said he chose the time 11:11 to slit his own wrists. I want to ask her about the meaning behind that, but I don’t want Hayden to feel completely ambushed.
“Why do people say to make a wish at 11:11?” Hayden demands, surprising me. I turn to look at him and he’s eyeing Aggie very seriously.
“Oh yes, that’s definitely what lots of people do when they see that time, isn’t it? Make a wish!” she snickers. “I think that began because 11:11 is a sign that our innermost thoughts are turning into reality, so you see it and you take control of making blessings in your life happen.”
“But what does it mean if you’re only wishing to change the past?” Hayden’s hand finds my knee beneath the table and he squeezes it for reassurance. I place mine over his.
Aggie’s face turns grave and I notice the stunning clear blueness of her eyes, almost as if they are colourless. They were so small when she was smiling before that I never got a good look. She reaches out and touches Hayden’s hand. The loose skin on her cheek tremors ever so slightly. “Your heart is heavy with a large burden, love. But you are seeing 11:11 for a positive reason that has everything to do with the present and your future, and nothing to do with your past.”
She cuts her eyes to me with a meaningful look. I pull back slightly. “What is it?” I ask.
“Her,” she gestures to me while looking at Hayden like he will get it. He remains still, so she looks to me again. “Tell me, Vi. Does 11:11 hold any significance to you?”
My face freezes. I didn’t expect her to turn this on me. I’m even more floored that she knows to ask me anything about it. I refuse to lie to Aggie when she was generous enough to do this for me, but I’m kicking myself for not telling Hayden all of this before we got here.
I nod.