Just What She Wanted to Hear. Almost

Just What She Wanted to Hear. Almost

In the night Ninny made a big decision. She was going to see Sho Shi
Shang.

As soon as Petrach left for the helicopter repair shop Ninny threw on
her pea-green hat and flew out into the tumbling snow with little
Psigor on her hip. She took the 52nd Street helitaxi to 12th and 12th
and entered the shop opposite. A bell rang above her head.

"I've been expecting you," said Sho Shi Shang, the fortune teller. Sho
Shi Shang was a small man with a head like an onion.

"I've come about my baby," said Ninny.

"I know," said Sho Shi Shang.

Ninny followed Sho Shi Shang into a back room pilled high with books
and Estonian reliquaries. Sho Shi Shang sat down on an upside-down
crate and broke two goose eggs into a shallow cup.

"Is that for the ritual?" said Ninny.

"This," said Sho Shi Shang, "is my breakfast. Now about your
baby."

"He's shrinking," said Ninny.

"Don't bother me with details," said Sho Shi Shang. "Show me his
willy."

Ninny took a deep breath and removed Psigor's nappy.

"Well?" said Ninny after what she considered to be enough time.

"It all seems in proportion," said Sho Shi Shang.

"No," said Ninny. "About his future."

"I predict a big future for him," said Sho Shi Shang.

"You mean he's going to grow?" said Ninny.

"There are different ways of being big," said Sho Shi Shang.

He gulped down his goose eggs and wouldn't say anything more.