Free Forecast by Jane Tara

you. Eva sure as hell isn’t going to. Anyway, I’m on the red-eye back tonight.” Jack opened a small, portable cooler and handed Drew a plastic cup. “I got some snacks. There’s a little health food shop down the road. Reopened this afternoon. Hospital food is enough to make you sick.”
    “You’re a champion!” Drew took a sip. “Christ! What is it?”
    “Wheatgrass juice. It’s really good for you,” said Jack.
    “Couldn’t you bring me a beer? What else have you got in there?”
    “Spinach salad …”
    “Please tell me you have some cookies or something.”
    “There’s an organic orange and polenta cake,” Jack offered.
    Drew rolled his eyes. “That will have to do.”
    Jack served up a slice of cake on a paper plate, while Drew positioned his head so he could see the TV. He was nervous. What if Rowie was awful?
    Or worse, what if she was great? What if she was better than him?
    *
     
    Rowie could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Oh God, what if she had a heart attack? Was that possible from fear? She’d read somewhere that people who fell from tall buildings were dead before they hit the ground. The fear killed them. She certainly felt like she was free falling, sans parachute.
    She saw Bill Anderson strutting towards her, wearing a suit jacket, shirt and tie on top, and Bermuda shorts on bottom. He was much smaller than he appeared on TV, and the olive skin and brown hair adored by fans everywhere were obviously fake. It was unnerving, a bit like finding out Santa Clause wasn’t real.
    “Hey, Rowie isn’t it? Bill Anderson. How are you feeling?
    “Oh you know … nauseous.”
    Bill leaned in and whispered in Rowie’s ear. “Quick word of advice. Be careful of Tina. She comes across all apple pie on TV, but believe me, she’s an A grade bitch.”
    Rowie stepped back, appalled. Jess wasn’t exaggerating. Bill loathed Tina. She could almost smell it on his breath. Or was that whiskey?
    Bill gave Rowie a wink and sauntered towards the news desk.
    Shin walked up to Rowie. “You ready?”
    “Yes,” Rowie nodded.
    Shin readjusted Rowie’s mike. “Speak into it for me.”
    Rowie felt a bit foolish. “Um … testing … one, two.”
    “That’s great.” Shin smiled kindly. “Have fun, and remember to breathe.” He turned and scanned the studio. “Places, people.”
    Rowie took a deep breath and tried to imagine herself surrounded by white light. It was difficult to do, surrounded by a greenscreen and monitors. She noticed Tina Eanis, coiffed to perfection, marching towards her. Tina paused for a moment and gave Rowie the once-over before speaking to her. Rowie suddenly felt like a schoolgirl with muddy clothes and a smudged face.
    “I’m Tina … obviously. Good luck.”
    “Thank you.”
    “And just between us,” Tina smirked, “steer clear of Bill Anderson. The guy is a complete sleazebag.”
    Shin interrupted them. “Thirty seconds, Tina. Hustle.”
    “No rest for the wicked.” Tina made her way to the news desk and sat next to Bill.
    Rowie watched to see if they acknowledged each other at all. They didn’t. Instead Tina pulled a can of air freshener out from under the desk and sprayed it around near Bill. “That’s better,” she sighed.
    *
     
    Bill Anderson and Tina Eanis appeared on screen in all their polished glory. They turned and greeted each other: friends, co-workers, and partners. They obviously held each other in high regard.
    “I love them,” said Angel.
    “They look like such kind people,” said Petey.
    “I bet they’re assholes,” said Lilia.
    Bill stared straight through camera lens and into the eyes of each individual watching. It was a gift. “Those stories and more, including Hurricane Hilda and a psychic weather woman, in just a moment.”
    Anticipation filled the room. All eyes were focused on the television. Even the portraits seemed to turn their gaze.
    Gwendolyn counted the desert spoons again … and once more. She couldn’t