The Gypsy Moon Read Free Page B

hand in her own and said, “I will tell your fortune.”
    “I don’t believe in fortune-telling,” Gabby said with an apologetic smile. “I believe people make their own fortunes.”Nevertheless, she did not resist when Marissa started examining the palm of her hand.
    “You are going on a long journey. You will meet a man with blond hair.”
    Gabby was amused with the familiar prediction.
    “Be very careful of him,” Marissa continued. “He will not be good for you. Later you will meet a dark-haired man, and he is the man you want.”
    Gabby saw Greg smiling, and she returned it. Gabby pulled some coins out of her purse and thanked the woman.
    “We’d better get going,” Greg said. “Your dad will skin me alive if I don’t get you home on time.”
    “I’m afraid so.” Gabby started to get to her feet when she noticed a very old woman moving slowly toward her. The small woman wore a scarf over her head and large gold earrings.
    “This is Madame Jana,” Duke told her. Intersecting lines formed a network about the woman’s face, and her lips were drawn tightly together. Though her eyes were practically closed, there was a dark glitter that showed she was alert.
    “Good evening, Madame Jana,” Gabby said. “How are you?”
    The elderly woman did not answer, nor did she move. Gabrielle tried not to squirm under her unsettling gaze. Finally, Zanko said, “She is a Christian. Some say she is a prophet. Very wise.”
    Gabby was surprised at his words. She had assumed the whole group believed in fortune-telling and mysterious ways. A silence settled on the group as Madame Jana rested her hand lightly on Gabby’s forehead. Gabby froze, not knowing what the woman would do. The old woman closed her eyes and began to pray for Gabby in a language Gabby could not understand. When she was done, she opened her eyes and seemed to look into the depths of Gabby.
    “You are a believer, child. I feel the spirit of Christ in you.”
    Gabby’s uneasiness turned to surprise. “Yes, I do believe in Jesus.”
    The woman dropped her hand to Gabby’s shoulder. “You will need great courage, daughter,” she said quietly. “A dark time lies before you, but Jesus will never forsake you. When you think all is lost, He will bring you the strength you will need. He will make a way for you through the danger that awaits you.”
    With trembling hands she took a gold chain from around her neck and handed it to Gabby. “This is very old,” she said, “and the Lord tells me to give it to you. It is not magic. It is to remind you that you are not alone—that somewhere an old woman is praying for you when you feel that all is lost. Go with Jesus and do not fear.” As she turned and moved away, the group resumed their quiet chatter.
    “She is a strange one,” Duke said as the woman disappeared into the darkness. “But I tell you, she is a praying woman. She never gives up! Do not let her words fall to the ground.”
    Gabby had laughed at Marissa’s fortune-telling, but she was truly frightened by this woman’s prediction and told Greg she was ready to go. They said good-night to Duke and his wife and went back to the car.
    “Well, that was definitely strange,” he said as they left the area. “What did you make of the old woman?”
    “I don’t know, Greg,” she said as she touched the gold chain the woman had given her.
    “We’re lucky they didn’t rob us blind. They’re all thieves, you know.”
    She did not answer as Greg drove out of the park and headed for the Winslows’ house. When he stopped in front of her house, she opened the door and said, “You don’t have to come in, Greg. Good night.”
    “Hey, wait a minute—”
    “Good night, Greg.”
    Somehow the old woman’s words and her prayer hadshaken Gabby. She had thought she might like a good-night kiss on her first real date, but now she was preoccupied with other disturbing thoughts. She entered the house and found her parents drinking coffee in the