she wore a black bandanna. We were in front of Wordsworth, and she looked at me

with a beckoning smile.

“Want a palm reading?” I winked at her and smiled.

“No, I’m kind of skeptical. But thanks for the offer.”

“You’ll come back. Think about it.” She winked at me.

I went through the square to Au Bon Pain, a caf.e and sandwich bistro, and
watched a German group perform their traditional dances, complete with green
hats and knickers. The day was winding down, and it was late afternoon as people
started to close up shop. As I headed toward my bicycle, something inside me
propelled me to the fortune teller. It was near the end of the day, so I decided I
could use some entertainment. I walked back to the fortune teller’s table.

“I knew you’d be back.”

“Well, I feel like being a sucker today.” I said as I sat down.

She looked at me haughtily, smiled, took a drag on her cigarette, and then took
the cigarette out of her mouth. She offered her hand, and I extended my hand into

it. She held my hand for a few seconds, softly massaged it, and then she spoke.

“You’re the kind of guy who can do anything he puts his mind to.”

“That was generic.” I thought to myself.

“Your friends are not your friends, be careful of them, but you do make friends
very easily.” She paused, and then said, “I see you going far. I see much travel.”

Then she asked me a question. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No.” I lied. She immediately squeezed my hand, and fiercely applied a discomforting
pressure on the palm.

“The one you’re with now, you just met her a month ago?”

“Yes!” I said in astonishment. I did meet Ann a month ago.

“She’s not the one. Next year, you’ll meet someone. . . someone very important.
She’s your lifetime companion.” As she said that, the hairs on my back stood
on end, as an electric current went up my spine. I didn’t know why, but my eyes
started to tear. I looked into her eyes, and her gaze never wavered. She had a
sly smile on her face, as I unconsciously took out my wallet, and gave her the ten
dollars for the reading. As I stood up, she said,

“Still a skeptic?”

“Uh, no. I think.” I stammered.

“Bye handsome. Remember what I said.”