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“Oh yes. You are the first one for that weekend. I only take three people at a time in case each wants to make something different.” Suki handed Tori a clipboard with a sign-up sheet.
“Great.” Tori filled out her name, address, phone number, and e-mail. On the line that said “Experience,” she wrote1 crane. Suki laughed as Tori handed back the clipboard.
“In the meantime, go to the website and take a look. This isn’t all of it.”
Tori blinked in wonder. “I hope I can make up my mind by the time I get back.”
Suki walked Tori to the door and handed her the purple crane. “For good luck.”
“Thank you.” Tori’s eyes welled up. That was the second time that day someone had wished her good luck. Coming to the center was the best thing she could have done for herself, even if she hadn’t met yet with the woman whose name was Luna.
Tori placed the purple crane on top of the box in her shopping bag. It was getting close to her appointment time. She wandered toward the ladies’ room to freshen up. She checked her profile in the mirror. Nothing yet. Not that she expected any change from that morning, but now she felt she was gaining momentum for the momentous task of moving forward with her life.
Tori entered the café at 4:30 sharp. “Hi. I’m Tori.”
“Yes, hello, Tori.” Luna held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Thank you for taking the time to see me. I know you have a busy schedule.”
“Well, let’s see what we can do in the short amount of time we have. We can always reschedule, and I’ll work out the fee depending on how much time we have. Is that all right with you?”
Fee. Tori hadn’t thought about how much it would cost.How stupid of me.
“Shhh ssshure.” Tori’s word stumbled out of her mouth.
“I forgot to ask, do you take debit cards?”
“Sure. Cash. Check. Sometimes I even barter with the other artists.” Luna tried to make Tori feel comfortable. She could sense the woman was tense. Her energy was all over the place.
Tori thought about the small origami crane. She jokingly pulled it out of her bag. “Will this do?” She laughed nervously. “Just kidding.”
“My fee is one hundred dollars for an hour’s reading. But right now we have about twenty-five minutes. I really don’t like to rush these things so how about this. You and I chat for a bit, then we’ll make an appointment for a full hour, and I won’t charge you for today. Would that work for you?”
Tori thought it was more than fair. After all, she was the one who barged in. “That is very kind of you.”
Luna gestured toward the easel and table. “Take a seat. Would you like coffee? Tea? A scone?”
“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” Tori replied.
“It’s a café, darlin’.” Luna chuckled.
Tori giggled nervously. “Decaf?”
“Coming right up.” Luna went to the large coffee machine and popped in a decaffeinated capsule. “Cream? Milk? Skim? Almond? Oat?”
Tori remembered the variety at the super supermarket.
“Cream is fine.” Tori stifled a giggle.
“I’m with you.” Luna made a cup for each of them. “I really don’t get the other stuff. But I guess it’s an industry now.” Luna brought the coffee cups over to the table.
“I was wondering, how does one milk an almond?” Tori had to share that with someone, and she felt that Luna might appreciate the humor.
“That is a very good question. I’ve often asked myself the same thing. Or an oat. Or a cashew. They’re so small.” Luna pinched her thumb and forefinger together.
Tori felt very comfortable in this kooky woman’s company.
Luna took a sip and nodded toward the easel. “Do you mind? I like to draw when I’m doing a reading although this is really just a preliminary getting to know you. Now, I don’t want you to think I am going to go online and do a background check. I simply want to get a sense of you. No pun intended.”
