Page 160 of Instant Karma

It’s a simple act, but a selfless one. A good deed.

Please, oh please…

I snap my finger and hold my breath.

“Either you’re really clumsy,” Morgan says, picking up the napkin, “or really unlucky.” She drops it onto a serving tray cluttered with empty dishes and abandoned wineglasses.

And… that’s it.

No kismet befalls her. No unexpected windfall. No reward.

Maybe cleaning up a spill isn’t a big-enough deed to warrant the universe’s attention. I peer around the room and spy a man dropping some cash into the donation box on the stage.

I try again. Snap. Snap.Snap.

The man returns to his table. If he’s received good karma as a result of his donation, there’s no sight of it.

“No,” I whisper. “Please.”

“Pru?” Quint is frowning at me. His hand is still supporting me, pressed between my shoulder blades. “What’s wrong?”

I pout at him. I can’t help it. “I think it’s gone.”

“What’s gone?”

I sniff, even though I know I’m being melodramatic. I don’t care. There were times when I thought my karmic ability was a curse, but… for the most part, it was a fun curse.

“The universe,” I mutter.

Quint’s frown deepens. He watches me for a long moment, before turning toward his mom. “Maybe we should call an ambulance.”

“No,” I say. “I’m fine. Could you help me up?”

“I’m not sure you should—”

Ignoring him, I grasp Quint’s arm and use it to pull myself up. He stumbles once but we both manage to make it to our feet without crashing back to the floor.

“Prudence?” says Rosa, grasping my elbow. “You should see a doctor, especially if this is the second head injury you’ve had this summer.”

“Ugh, fine,” I say. I don’t have the strength to argue anymore. Not with anyone. Not tonight. “I’ll go tomorrow. Just… please don’t call an ambulance. This night has been weird enough.”

Rosa frowns. I can see her waffling, so to prove that I’m all right, I smile at her. “I’m okay. I promise.”

She sighs heavily. “Quint, why don’t you get her some water?”

Quint glances around. “Ezra,” he says, pointing at his friend in the crowd. “Water?”

“Gin and tonic, coming right up,” says Ezra, scurrying off to the bar.

“He’s joking.” Quint smiles sheepishly at his mom. “I think.”

Rosa takes my hands into hers. “You were very brave to come here tonight, especially after everything that happened. I’m so sorry to have put you through this. I’m sorry for the way we treated you. I’m not sure you’ll want to come back after everything that’s happened, but please know that you are always welcome at the center.”

I pretend to consider this. “Don’t suppose you’re in need of an event coordinator?”

She laughs. “I don’t think I’m in a position to be hiring full-time staff yet, but you’ll be the first person I contact if I do.”

“Prudence would probably make an exceptional office manager,” says Quint, grinning. “And I hear that position just opened up.”

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