Picnics and Palm Readings
Bruce called for Sallie in the evening at the hotel.
"My goodness, ma'am, you're looking well.
I was thinking we would go a little way out of town;
And find a grassy area to sit down.
I picked up some special food and I think
That neither you nor I will forget this evening.
A ways out of town he found a place under a tree
That would make a perfect picnic spot for him and Sallie.
He spread out a blanket and said with a grin,
"Well, Sallie, dear, shall we dig in?"
There was a box of delicious muffins
But Bruce had done something to them.
He'd sprinkled half of them with powder
He'd bought long ago for a job.
It was supposed to encourage truth-telling,
But he wasn't sure if the powder would still work.
"Have a muffin?"
He picked up one
And then held out the box to her.
Sallie smiled, "Why thank you sir. This place is absolutely lovely.
I'm coming to grow rather fond of BG." Sallie held her muffin daintily.
But not one bite did she take. Because she didn't trust this snake.
He thought himself so clever indeed. But she was the wolf and he the sheep.
She set her muffin down on a napkin and grabbed his hand into hers instead, then with a nervous laugh, she shook her head.
"Forgive me if I'm being too bold Bruce. I usually don't do this kind of thing as you can bet. Picnics with men I've just met. I used to read fortunes in the circus. May I?"
"I don't normally go on picnics with strange men
either." Bruce grinned on the outside but was grimacing within.
She hadn't eaten the muffin!
He spread his fingers so she could see
His hand and moved closer carefully.
"How'd a gal like you wind up in the circus?"
He had to admit he was curious
But a question could also lead to information
That Rue might find helpful.
As she looked at his hand he saw it was marred
By marks from the jail fire which had left its scars.
He thought of Lou and of Brandy.
Why was he sitting here with Sallie?
Because Rue had paid him.
That was why.
But he wasn't just in it for the money anymore.
This was for BG, obviously,
If Rue had needed information this badly.
Sallie laughed self-consciously, "What kind of kid, doesn't dream of running away with the circus. That's what I did.
Now I need to touch your hand if you please?"
"Be my guest." He acted surprised at her touch
Even though he wasn't that much
And locked eyes with her.
All of a sudden he remembered that Jake and Josie
Had been with a circus previously.
Was there a connection?
He'd have to steer the conversation in the right direction.
"So what do you see? Am I going to live happily?
Find love? Strike it rich?
And who taught you how to do this?
Read fortunes, I mean."
"Call it a natural gift I guess. A certain talent I've always had. But the circus frowned on me giving out fortunes that were bad,
Bad for business and tips," she said with an quirk of her lips.
Sallie seemed to be studying the lines on his palm, intently. Her fingers softly traced over the crease.
But not at his palm did she stop her wandering hands, but up his wrist she also traced. Her gaze moving up to his face
Her voice was low, her fingers stroking his scars, "I can tell you've lived a troubled life. But have come far."
Bruce knew better than to be taken in by Sallie's touch.
He inhaled slowly and met her eyes, his face grave.
"I have come far and I've ended up here.
What's in my future? I want to hear.
And I promise it won't affect your tips."
A smirk quirked his lips.
"Can you tell me how I'll be spending the night?
And where I'll be, come the morning light?"
Sallie giggled and dropped his hand, "You don't need a fortune-teller for that if you play your cards right.
So tell me, Bruce, what brought you to BG? And more importantly, was a woman the cause of these scars I see?"
Bruce smirked again.
Here was where the fun began.
It was time for kisses and lies,
And if Sallie could beat him at that he'd be surprised.
His face became serious and he
Scooted closer to Sallie.
"I came to BG in search of a bounty.
But what I found was even better.
Or so I thought.
She was the woman of my dreams,
But it all ended in flames.
It's because of her that I'm this way.
But it's because of that, that I'm here today.
Here...with you."
He leaned forward slowly to kiss her.
So far, all was going well.
The next stop would be Sallie's room at the hotel.