Telling Fortunes in Phoenix

Sara

When Sara had finished she lay on her back sobbing. Julia would be broken when her father was taken down. Sara’s right arm had been draped across her eyes to keep out the blazing light but she removed it now to return to the here and now. The girl in question stared down at her.

“Don’t be sad, Sara.”

Sara laughed and swung her legs to the floor, sitting herself on the side of the cot. The laugh turned to sobs on an intake of breath, but returned to a laugh as she breathed out.

“Why the hell not?” She rubbed her hand across her face and wiped at the slime and wetness, trying to clean her face. “Sadness seems an appropriate response to this situation.”

Jewel sat next to her and put an arm around the older woman’s shoulder. “We’ll be all right,” she said. “We’ll be okay.” She rocked them both back and forth and Sara let the teen comfort her.

“Ah, you’re a good girl, Jewel. I’m glad you’re here.”

“That’s an awful thing to say.” Jewel said, then started laughing. Sara joined in and when they slowed down Sara said, “Well at least the food’s good.” They pointed at each other and the hooting escalated again until they could barely breathe. “And plenty of fresh desert air,” Jewel said, “And we’re meeting lots of new friends,” Sara returned and they were off again. Hysteria beckoned and they gladly succumbed. Their manic laughter finally stopped when their stomachs were too sore to go on.

“Well, I’m glad we got that settled,” Sara finally said. Jewel smiled her agreement.