33: Futures

Darby    

“Girl, ya wan’ know wha’ dat baby is? Well, let’s find out.” Vermillion drains her glass, reaching behind her to set it on the sofa table.

It’s some beverage she calls a Hurricane but all I know is it’s exceptionally sweet and heavy on rum. Opening the small clutch purse that doubles as a wallet and a cellphone case, Vermillion removes a deck of cards. “Now, I may not be de hoodoo queen o’ New Orleans,” in her Louisiana drawl, the name comes out as ‘Na’Arlans’, “but I tell ya, girls, I ain’ never been wrong ‘bout babies.”

Leaning forward so she can reach the coffee table in front of Kasey, Vermillion shuffles the cards. She waits as Anna and Lili draw an oversized ottoman up so they can see. Kallie crowds close