A Fortune Teller’s Tales, Episode 3
Jennifer had a nice broad smile that pushed her cheeks upward like a cute squirrel packing a lunch. Tilting her head to one side, in that endearing way, made her large pupils appear that much more sincere. Her eyes appeared sunken, however, with dark circles around them that tunneled deeper into her unsettled soul, conflicting with the sparkle she was trying to project. That smile could not cover the darkness, it just put a brighter color curtain near it.
Our first meeting was on the outdoor patio of a downtown restaurant. The cold wind that early evening would make her shiver a bit, despite her heavy coat, or maybe it was nerves? I could feel her energy was scattered, lost, not connected, despite the smile. She would randomly look around as she spoke, as if someone was eavesdropping, looking over her left, then right shoulder. She was trying not to make too much eye contact, either, less it betray her smile, and I might see through it. Her eyes grew darker as the sun set. She was a glass half empty, trying to appear half full. After awhile, she admitted in a sad, child like voice, “I have no friends.”
Michelle, like Jennifer, had a big broad smile with perfect teeth that welcomed you with a gleam and conveyed instant warmth. She was perhaps 10 years older, had a sharper nose, same…
