Another Cup of Joe

Tale 1 Beyond the Pail Part 2 Miri, Miri Quite Contrary

Miri is one of our waitresses. Miri is short for Miriam. She pronounces it by conjoining Meerkat and merry. Her personality likewise combines the alertness and cuteness of the small creature and the cheerfulness of the sentiment. She is also our resident psychic. Seeing Jack's funk, she came over and sat on the stool next to him.

Miri is always looking for an opportunity to turn a conversation toward anything to do with the supernatural. Having only heard the word "candlestick," she interjected, "Did you know, jumping candlesticks was a form of fortune telling as well as a sport? Clearing a candle without extinguishing the flame is said to signal good luck"

"No. I did not know that," Jack responded a bit sarcastic but with a smile. "Good luck for me would be clearing the candle without catching my pants on fire. I'm pretty sure if I jump over my meeting at candlestick it will be bad luck

"Let me see your palm and we will find out," Miri suggested. Miri frequently gives impromptu readings to our patrons so Jack was not surprised by her odd request.

"Sure, why not?" Jack gave her his hand.

Miri took his hand, turned his palm up and began to study it intently. "There are some big changes coming soon," she said looking up into his eyes to gauge his reactions.

Jack shrugged. "Yep, there is a big reorganization going on at work, but you've heard me talking about that, haven't you?" His tone was skeptical.

"No, I haven't," Miri responded defensively. "It is right here in the palm of your chubby hand." Neither Jack nor his hand are chubby, Miri was just trying to get back at Jack for doubting her powers. She went on, "See where this line divides? You are coming upon a big decision that will change your life and the lives of those around you. It is important you make your choice without regard to difficulty. Also, you need to cut out the fat." Miri added the last part because she always liked to tease Jack about his name by finding ways to remind him of the nursery rhyme that tells the story of his namesake who had the aversion to fat. She squeezed his palm between her thumb and forefinger for emphasis.

Jack feigned pain and responded, "Is that last bit another cryptic warning or a critique of my diet?"

"Perhaps, it is both." With that, she threw his hand back at him with a good-natured smirk.

Miri's prediction seemed harmless, but quite the contrary. Miri's prediction would affect all of us. Miri, Miri quite contrary how your augury will grow.

"Here," I shoved a plate toward Jack. "Have this cinnamon roll. It's left over from breakfast. It's on the house. It is not a Cinnabon or low fat, but it is in the shape of a parallelogram."