My pal Karen’s second group of words: kumquat, extravaganza, boffering, turtle, sunrise. Yep, exactly1000 words, plus title.

What Do You Have to Lose?

There was nothing particularly noticeable about Tom Haviland, except perhaps the gleaming smile perpetually spread across his face.

And, he’s available. Let’s not forget that. After serving in the Navy, traveling the world, he decided it was time to “drop anchor” somewhere permanently. Why not? He was an only child and his parents had died years before, leaving him enough money to last a while.

Tom began his day at sunrise and after finishing his chores, set off for the “Founding Fathers Extravaganza,” in Gilbertville, population 50,001 on the Oregon coast. He didn’t yet know many in town and figured this might be a great opportunity to meet people.

After parking his car, he walked around the festival grounds, passing the usual activities one would find at such celebrations, such as shooting gallery, ring tosses, face-painting etc., while following the sweet aromas beckoning him closer to the home-baked goods for sale booth.

He loaded up a paper plate with a hotdog, and a kumquat, and flushed it all down with an iced lemonade. Then he rested a few minutes to let his food settle.

Then he strolled a bit further and became intrigued by a small tent with a fringed doorway, and a sign that read: Fortunes $5. Normally, Tom was a nonbeliever in things paranormal, but today he thought: What the hell? It might be fun just for a laugh. And with that, he poked his head inside the tent.

The first thing he noticed was incense. He was greeted by a woman wearing a black veil and long black dress, seated behind a table upon which sat a cloth-covered crystal ball. Behind her hung a sign with the name: Madame Zara.

“Are you interested in having your fortune told?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Then step inside and sit down,” she said motioning to the chair across the table. “Please drop the flap across the door to let others know I’m not available at the moment.”

Tom suddenly felt a bit silly. “What the heck am I DOING?” he wondered to himself. “This is just crazy!” Despite his urge to back out of the tent, he sat down as instructed.

Madame Zara then removed the cloth from the crystal ball and placed her hands upon it, closing her eyes. After several minutes, as Tom shifted uneasily in his chair, she spoke.

“You’ve come a long way to see me. Over water.”

Tom suddenly sat very still. His attention focused on the crystal ball.

“This has not been an easy journey for you, I see. To remain in one place. I see the difficulties you have faced, without friends or family.”

“How the hell do YOU know I don’t have any family??” he nearly blurted out.

“First, I see two things in your future: you will marry within the year. Second, you will save someone’s life.”

Now, he KNEW this was baloney! Marry within a year? He didn’t even KNOW anyone well enough for that. And as for saving someone’s life…well, c’mon, what were the chances of THAT happening?

She offered a few more bits of information, but by then, Tom had stopped listening.

He paid the $5 fee and exited the tent, feeling somewhat foolish.

Walking a bit further, he came upon a group of people encircling a corral-type enclosure and approached to get a better look. What he saw was two men brandishing weapons that looked like swords. Kinda.

“What is this?” he asked the man standing in front of him.

“It’s called boffering. Whoever loses has to buy a round of drinks after the contest.”

“Aren’t they afraid of getting hurt?” asked Tom.

“Naw. The swords are made from light-weight material and padded with foam. Nobody ever gets hurt. Most of them are half drunk already and lucky to land any blows!”

Tom and the man chatted until the end of the contest and amid the cheers of the onlookers and laughter of the combatants, the man invited Tom to join them at the Snapping Turtle. Tom agreed and was given the directions to meet at the tavern.

The Snapping Turtle was already crowded when he walked in and it took a few minutes before he could see the man he’d just met and make his way to their table. Bert introduced him to his friends and they made room for him to sit down.

Tom made friends easily and was soon exchanging stories with the others seated at the table.

As the night wore on, Tom’s attention focused more on the lady seated across from him. It turned out he and Patsy shared many of the same interests.

As they finished up their drinks, they exchanged phone numbers. And with that, Tom helped Patsy with her coat and offered to walk her to her car. After first saying she was parked just around the corner, he insisted and she accepted his gentlemanly offer.

When they left the tavern, the half-moon did what it could to light up the sky as they made their way down the block to Patsy’s car. Most people had already gone home, so the streets were nearly empty except for one man standing on the corner smoking a cigarette.

Once Patsy drove away, Tom made his way to his own car, humming to himself the entire way. He’d made several new friends, and a lady friend to boot! The perpetual smile stayed on his happy face the entire way home.

Tom learned of the news when he spoke to Patsy the next day, when she read him the headline in the newspaper: Young woman found murdered near Snapping Turtle Tavern.

So, would there be a wedding within a year? Close. Fourteen months later, Tom and Elizabeth Murray were married, and celebrated the event at the Snapping Turtle Tavern.

Now…did Tom save Patsy’s life that night when he walked her to her car? We’ll never know. But Tom couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened had he not walked Patsy to her car.