Having agreed to be open to the session, Simon wiped the hundred and one concerns roiling around his head and focused on keeping Holly safe. If thoughts of her lying naked next to him in the starlight intruded, he considered it all about keeping her close and safe.
“Are you focused?” the woman asked.
Holly nodded. “I am.”
Lady LaChance looked past the creature in her arms and met Simon’s gaze. “And you?”
“I am,” Simon responded, hoping to hurry this meeting along.
“Then we shall begin.” Lady LaChance held the nutria up in front of her and stared into its little, furry face.
* * *
Creature of the bayou’s bend,
Whiskers twitching, truth you send
Stir the darkness, lift the veil,
Tell us what the signs entail.
* * *
She touched her nose to the creature’s, closed her eyes and held that pose for a long moment.
Then the nutria pooped.
Holly squeezed Simon’s hand.
Simon choked down a laugh and schooled his expression into his best poker face.
Lady LaChance opened her eyes and smiled down at the poop on the white satin cloth, studying how the pellets lay. “Well done, my dear. Well done.” She held the animal out. “Take my friend,” she said to Simon. “Hold him carefully while I interpret the signs.”
Simon took the animal, careful to keep his fingers away from its sharp teeth. At the same time, he hung its ass over the white satin-covered tray—in case it dropped more insight on their future.
Convinced it couldn’t get stranger, Simon held the nutria and watched as Lady LaChance’s eyes rolled back and her face paled. As if in a trance, she spoke slowly, her voice deep and monotone.
* * *
Love has found you, sweet and sure,
Tho’ bayou shadows prove unpure?—
Trust not those who will deceive,
Or death’ll leave a love to grieve.
* * *
The air in the wagon grew heavy. The candlelight dimmed.
Simon brought the little rodent close to his chest, the creature's warmth doing little to chase away the sudden chill surrounding them.
Holly reached over and placed her hand on the nutria, leaning her shoulder into Simon’s.
Lady LaChance swayed left and right. Then she sat up straight, and her eyes snapped open.
She glanced from Holly to Simon and back. “We’re done here.” She folded the satin cloth with the rodent poop inside. “That will be forty dollars. You can leave it on the cushion and show yourself out.” Lady LaChance stood and walked toward a door at the back of the wagon. She paused with her hand on the doorknob and glanced over her shoulder, her brow furrowed, a sad look in her eyes.
