Binding Vows(2)
“You’re such a cynic, Tara. I thought you liked this type of thing, or at least believed there’s more to magic than what you read in books?”
3
Catherine Bybee
Tara did in fact think there was more to magic than fiction put on paper. On the other hand, she was a realist. The Gypsy Queen would have to prove herself before Tara forked over any of her hard earned tips acquired by working countless hours waiting tables. “That doesn’t mean I believe everything I hear.”
“I don’t believe everything I hear, just some of it.
I wonder if the Gypsy reads palms. I would love to hear what my future holds,” Cassy said.
The sign on the highway indicated the off-ramp they needed was coming up. “Oh, I’m sure. For money! And since she won’t be around after the weekend, it’s not like you can get a refund if she’s full of shit.”
“Cynic!” Undaunted by her friend’s attitude, Cassy reached into her purse and removed a tube of lip gloss.
“I can tell you your future.”
Making popping noises with her lips, Cassy asked, “Oh yeah, what is it?”
“You’ll begin your brilliant nursing career, along with me, after we graduate in December. Then you’ll find Mr. Wonderful or, even better, Dr. Wonderful, and settle down to a fabulous life in the suburbs in two or three years. See, I didn’t need to look at your hand, and it didn’t cost you a dime.”
“Ha!” Cassy tossed her bag aside. “A lot you know. I’ll have a passionate affair with Dr.
Wonderful, but I won’t marry him. Who wants to be married to a doctor who’s on call all the time?”
“Good point.” The stop sign at the end of the off-ramp forked in both directions. “Which way now?”
Cassy picked up the map. “Go right. The brochure says we should fuel up at the next town.
Apparently, there aren’t any services for the next forty miles.”
“This place really is in the middle of nowhere.”
4
Binding Vows
Tara started toward the one stop town in search of a gas station. “I hope it’s not going to be too hot. It’s enough to have to sleep next to strangers, but sweaty smelly strangers? Yuck!”
“The picture shows the fair set in the woods by a stream. It looks very shady.”
The pictures could have been taken after a rare California rain. They were probably headed into a dust bowl. Tara grabbed her purse and fumbled around in the bottom to find the aspirin she knew was there.
****
They drove away from the gas station with a couple of ice-cold sodas and a bag of barbequed potato chips. The whole non-twenty-first century food thing was a drawback for both of them. And as tempting as it was to stock up with snacks and chips, they thought it would be best to make the most of the authentic experience. Besides, Tara had already stashed an emergency supply of chocolate in her purse.
“So, do you think the Gypsy will peg you?” Cassy asked.
“Peg me for what?”
“A virgin?”
Tara let out a manic laugh and almost choked on the soda. “Twenty-five year old virgins are hard to come by. No pun intended. So no, I don’t think she’ll peg me.”
“What if she does? Will you let her read your palm?”
“She won’t. I’m not the poster child for virginity.
I’m not Amish-looking. I’m in no way shy, or fat, and I don’t think I’m ugly.”
The only physical flaw Tara saw when she looked in the mirror were her breasts. By California standards, they were considered too small.
5
Catherine Bybee
“...and besides,” Tara continued, “I’ve seen my share of naked men...more than most...for a virgin, anyway.”
“That’s true. But if the Gypsy singles you out as a virgin, you need to promise me you’ll let her read your palm and...no more cynicism for the rest of the weekend!”
It was a sucker’s bet. There’s no way some self-proclaimed Gypsy Queen would suspect she was a virgin. “You got yourself a deal.”
****
It couldn’t get any worse, it just couldn’t! The parking lot was two miles from the actual encampment where the fair was taking place. Cassy and Tara were told to leave the car, secured and guarded by what looked like executioners, then walk the final couple of miles. If they were lucky, they could catch a ride on a passing cart or carriage. They, of course, were not lucky.
The information packet failed to tell them they would be ostracized by everyone if they arrived out of costume. They were looked down upon like lepers, as if they sported oozing wounds and all. People stopped, put their noses in the air, and rode along their merry friggin’ way.