Page 72 of The Neighborhood Vampire

“Madame Sophia from the festival, right?”

“The one and only.”

“Interesting shop. I like it.”

“Thank you.”

“My girlfriend will love this place. She alone will probably keep you in business.”

“Oh, yeah?” Madame Sophia asked. “She must be a very spiritual person.”

“You have no idea,” Hugo responded.

“Well, tell her to stop by. I’ll give her a reading for free.”

“Will do.”

Madame Sophia tapped the cardboard box she had placed on the counter. “Since you’re here, do you mind giving me a hand? There’s a heavy box on the ground. I need a second set of hands to lift it.”

“Sure,” Hugo replied. He moved over to her.

She pointed to a box on the ground. “This one here. I need it on the counter. You grab one side; I’ll grab the other.”

They bent down. Hugo pulled a corner of the box so he could slide his fingers underneath.

“Lift on three. One . . . two . . . three.”

Hugo strained as he lifted. The box was far heavier than he had expected. Madame Sophia lifted the box with ease, as if she had another unseen set of hands assisting her side. Hugo placed his corner onto the counter, grabbed the other end, and slid the box onto the counter. He could smell the blood pumping through her veins. He stepped to the other side of the counter.

“Are you sure the counter is rated for that much weight?” Hugo asked through a small laugh. “What’s in it?”

“I hope so,” she replied. “Stones and crystals. I overpacked the box, and with my bad back, it makes it easier to pull them out up here. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Well, I better get going and leave you to your work.”

“Here, let me give you something,” Madame Sophia said.

“That’s not necessary. I don’t mind it.”

She searched the room, not able to find the item she sought. “One moment. Wait here.” She disappeared into the back room.

“I don’t mind. Honest,” Hugo said.

He lifted his foot, ready to make a hasty retreat to the entrance door.

She returned carrying a deck of cards. “Please, let me give you a reading?”

“You don’t have to. Honest,” Hugo insisted as he backed away.

“A one card reading. It’ll be quick.”

He slumped his shoulders. “Sure. Okay.”

Madame Sophia shuffled the tarot cards, the corners tapping against each other. Each card rushed to take its place in the deck as they fell. She neatly aligned the cards and offered the deck to Hugo.

“Please cut,” she said.

He split the deck, setting his top half onto the counter.

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