The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

Don't Make a Scene

Oracle

The Train Depot

Laine, Oklahoma

December 17, 2019

"Okay, but you have to see this one!" Oracle said, swiping on her phone to another picture. It was a picture of her favorite snake, Cedar, wearing a miniature flower crown. The girls around her swooned.

"That is so cute." Bree, one of Fang's myriad of family members, gushed. "How did you even make one that small?"

"Well, don't tell him I said this, but..." Oracle leaned in conspiratorially, and the other girls followed suit. "I got Racelynn to do it for me. He really enjoys things like knitting and weaving, so he made a bunch of them for my children."

They all looked over at Ranger, who was gesturing emphatically with the marshmallow shooter he had won in Dirty Santa as he told a story to the men around him.

"Really?" Stella, another cousin, asked. "He doesn't look the type."

"No, he doesn't. That's why it's a secret." Oracle answered, giving the other woman a look as the gears in her head turned until it finally made sense to her.

"So how many snakes do you actually have?" Bree asked.

"I've got six snakes, but I have a bunch of other animals too." Oracle said. "Turtles, skinks, fish, and a few axolotls."

"OMG I love axolotls!" Fang's niece, Ivy, shouted, actually spelling out the acronym. Oracle immediately started scrolling for pictures she had of them, while the other women just laughed. Before Oracle could find the pictures, however, Liza called for her daughter.

"So, now that we've got her out of the way, let's talk about something other than pets." Bree said, her voice suddenly serious.

"Sure." Oracle drew out the word, suddenly nervous with change in tone. Bree waved at one of Fang's sisters, Lynn, and the other woman sat down with them.

"So, are there any men in your life?" Bree asked.

"What?" Oracle asked, stunned. She could feel her face heating up.

"Oh, c'mon." Stella said, rolling her eyes. "It's just you and that Nichole girl, with four boys. Surely you've got eyes for one of them."

"Yeah," Lynn said. "She's got eyes for Tyler."

"What?" Oracle's voice rose in pitch. "No, I don't!"

All three girls started laughing, but it was Bree that responded. "Well, that's sounded like a yes to me."

"Seriously though, Jenna." Lynn said, getting serious again. "Any time your look at him, you smile. It's pretty obvious, probably to everybody but him."

"Please don't tell." Oracle said, her voice quiet. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."

"What, is he dating somebody?" Lynn asked.

"No, it's just..." Oracle trailed off.

"Alright, fine." Lynn interjected, standing up. "I won't tell. Yet."

Lynn walked away, leaving the three girls sitting there. Oracle let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding, suddenly grateful to Fang's sister.

"You okay?" Stella asked.

"Yeah," Oracle sighed. "Does she usually do that?"

"Do what?" Stella gave her a confused look.

"Come by, scare the bejesus out of you, then walk away without letting you explain?"

"Only when she's curious about something." Stella shrugged. "Don't worry too much about it though. She won't tell him."