Saving Savannah

Savannah jerked a thumb over her shoulder, to where a large parchment diagram of an open hand hung on one wall. The hand was cut with a series of lines, and labeled in two dozen places.

“More of a palm reader,” she corrected me. “Mostly though, I do tarot card readings.”

My eyes followed hers, to where a small mahogany table sat centered in the middle of a stunning Persian rug. Two chairs stood on opposite sides; one for her, the other presumably for the customer.

“Oh man,” I said excitedly. “Do me.”

She smirked at my choice of words, and I went a little red myself. I held my hand out, palm open.

“C’mon,” I said. “Read my palm.”

Savannah looked at me funny, then crossed her arms. She looked hesitant, if not downright standoffish.

“What?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“No!” I protested. “Not at all!”

“You sure?”

“Of course not,” I said, sliding into one of the chairs. “I totally believe in this stuff.” I shrugged. “Sorta.”

My last word elicited a welcome chuckle. “Totally sorta, huh?”

“Yeah well, I really don’t have much experience with it. I mean… I’ve never had my palm read before. Or gotten tarot carded.”

“Carded?” she laughed. “It’s not like you’re buying alcohol.”

“You know what I mean.”

She grinned, and the smile made her face even more beautiful. I couldn’t help but think about our night together. All of us. Back in her apartment…

“Do me a favor,” she said, without sitting. “You see that armoire over there?”

I sure did. The thing was a total monster.

“Help me move it,” she said. “I hate where it is.”

“Okay.”

“You do that,” she winked, “and I’ll read your palm for you.”

I scratched absently at the back of my head. “Maybe I want the card thing.”

“Fine. That too.”

My eyes met hers, blue on green. They danced together for a silent beat.

“What else could I get?” I flirted.

Savannah turned, inadvertently showing me her best assets. When she caught me staring, she rolled her eyes.

“Just move the damned armoire,” she said. “And we’ll figure it out.”

I nodded firmly. “Yes ma’am.”

It took her a minute or two to clear a path, moving some of her inventory out of the way. I could see little figurines. Tiny bells. A rainbow-colored display of crystals in a whole array of shapes and sizes. Some had been wire-wrapped, and fashioned into pendants or earrings. Others were much too large for that.