Hooked

register. “Care to have your innermost secrets exposed to this raucous crowd?
    “I’m ready for anything with you, Diana.” He reached out for her, nearly making contact. “In fact, you can take me home and find out everything about me.”
    The audience burst into laughter and applause. Diana threw back her head, tossing her mane of shiny black curls, and laughed along with the others. Waggling her finger at him as she strutted backward on high heels, she said, “Uh-oh, I better stay away from you. You could put an end to my act.”
    She teased a few others before scanning the crowd and randomly chose a chunky, red-faced woman from the third row, coaxing her to come onstage. Random to everyone but Diana.
    “You don’t have to if you’d rather not,” she said to the woman. “And you can stop the reading at any time. No problem.”
    After hemming and hawing, the woman went into a huddle with her husband for a minute.
    The crowd spurred her on.
    “Oh, go ahead,” one man shouted.
    Another voice rang out. “Scaredy cat.”
    The woman chewed her lip. “Oh, why the hell not?” She rose from her seat. “I have no secrets.”
    Perfect.
    The sparse stage displayed two wooden chairs and a café table containing a pitcher of water, tissues, and a stack of plastic cups. As the woman approached, Diana detected the stale smell of cigarettes.
    “Please, have a seat and relax.”
    “Yeah, right,” the woman said sarcastically. She eyed the water.
    “You’re thirsty,” Diana said and added promptly. “Nothing telepathic. Just an observation.” The woman’s lips twitched into a tight smile. Diana poured a cup of water and handed it to her. “All set?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. A little nervous, that’s all.”
    “No need to be.” She took the other chair. “If you wish, you can tell me your name.”
    “Oh, I thought you’d tell me.” The woman chuckled, and scattered sounds of amusement rose from the dimmed theater. Diana joined in with a smile. She searched the faceless crowd and shrugged, as if she’d never before heard the comment. “Well, that’s a new one—a subject turning the tables. I have to admit, you have me stumped.” Elsie Cavanaugh.
    “Elsie. Elsie Cavanaugh,” the woman responded.
    “Okay, Elsie. You managed the first surprise of the evening, now let me hold your hands and see whether I can surprise you, okay?”
    Elsie sucked in a deep breath, let it out in a huff, and reached her hand across the table. “Okay, I’m ready.”
    The audience went dead silent. Diana felt their expectation. She took Elsie’s hands in hers, closed her eyes, and let some time pass before she spoke in a voice everyone could hear. “You have a child who’s away and you’re worried. A young man, right? Answer yes or no. Nothing more.”
    “Yes.”
    “He’s in his early twenties.” Not too hard to figure for a woman her age. The young man part would have been a fifty-fifty chance… if I were guessing.
    “Yes, that’s right. He’s—”
    Diana’s eyes flared open. “Please don’t say anything before I finish.” Elsie nodded and Diana closed her ey es again. “I see a uniform. He’s in the military―”
    “How did you know that?”
    “And stationed overseas. The Middle East , I believe.” Thank you, phone records.
    Elsie’s bottom lip quivered. “Oh, dear God, is he all right? I haven’t heard from him in weeks.”
    Dia na opened her eyes. “He’s fine, fine. Missing you. I think you’ll hear from him soon.” General information. Law of averages.
    Tears filled Elsie’s eyes. “Oh, thank you. I’ve been so worried.” Sporadic applause drifted throughout the theater, along with the obvious intakes of breath, signifying either belief or skepticism.
    “Are you all right, Elsie?” Diana asked. “Would you like a moment to gather yourself?” She poured more water into Elsie’s glass and her own. The stage lights seemed especially brilliant tonight. Sweat dripped down her back. Both sipped their water.
    “That’s better,” Elsie said, plucking a tissue from the box and wiping her cheeks. “Go on.”
    Diana slipped back into meditation mode, waiting long enough to pique interest before speaking. After all, she was an actress, and the believability of her performance was as much a part of her act as the revelations she imparted.
    “I have a strong sensation you want to quit something, maybe your job. No, no,” she said shaking her head. “That’s not it. Ah, you want to