Page 39 of February

“There are art galleries here that are probably more your scene,” Bridgette noted. “I can take you there, if you want.”

“Do you mean you can get your tour guide friends to take me there?” Monica returned. “And I like this one. I’m good. How would you know what myscenewas anyway?”

“I only meant that there’s good stuff there, too.”

“Well, I bought this.” Monica looked at the artist and added, “Thank you.”

The man nodded at her, and Monica started walking. Bridgette caught up to her, and they walked in silence.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” Bridgette asked.

“No, I was going to keep walking until you told me how to get back to the office.”

“We can eat lunch.”

“You have a restaurant friend you want to pass me off to?”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t see the harm. Jill does this for a living.”

“It’s fine.” Monica sighed.

“Well, hello.”

Both of them turned to a woman who looked to be setting up a fortune teller table. She was a little early, though. They usually didn’t come out until night.

Bridgette looked around, finding a few other early arrivals, probably trying to cash in on the more family-oriented crowd, and replied, “No thanks.”

“I wasn’t asking for anything,” the fortune teller said.

“It’s true. She just said hello,” Monica noted.

“Do you want lunch?” Bridgette asked Monica.

“I wouldn’t suggest barbeque,” the fortune teller said.

“What?” Bridgette asked, surprised at her comment.

“Too spicy for this one,” the fortune teller replied as she pointed to Monica.

“How did you know that?” Monica asked her.

“Bridge, hey,” Kyle said as she headed their way.

“Ky, hey. What are you doing here?”

“I was taking a break from work. Went for a walk. I’m headed toward Melinda now. What areyoudoing here?”

“Just walking around,” Bridgette said.

She was about to introduce Kyle to Monica when Kyle turned to see the fortune teller.

“Oh, you,” Kyle said.

“Hello, Kyle,” the woman greeted. “How are things?”

“They’re great. Thanks. You?”

“Great also,” the woman replied.

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