It was a beautiful August day as Hanna and her best friend, Ellen, wandered down the boardwalk at Coney Island. Both girls were barely thirteen and were farther than they should be from their penthouse on 7th Avenue. Hanna was small for her age and easily mistaken for a ten year old. She had shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. Ellen was the complete opposite. She was tall and mature looking with long, blonde hair and big, blue eyes. It was crowded for a weekday and the waves were roaring in the distance. "Let's get our fortunes read!" Ellen said excitedly as she tucked her blonde strands of hair behind her ears. In front of them, a heavy set African American woman was sitting outside her shop with a sign that read $5 palm readings.

"I don't have any money," Hanna replied.

"My treat! I grabbed $100 from Dad this morning," Ellen said excitedly as she grabbed her best friend's hand. "We'd like to get our fortunes read," Ellen announced as they arrived in front of the woman. The woman's eyes immediately met Hanna's and she couldn't look away. Hanna felt uncomfortable.

"You," the woman said to Hanna. "Come child. I want to read your palm first."

"Ummmmm...nah...I don't think so," Hanna replied uncomfortably. "I don't believe in this stuff."

"Go," urged Ellen as she nudged her friend forward. "It's just for fun."

"Fine," Hanna sighed. The woman grabbed her hand and led her into a small room. It was dark except for a dim, blue light in the corner of the room. A small, circular table sat in the middle of the room.

"Sit child," the woman said. Hanna nervously sat down across from the woman. "Let me have your hands." Hanna reluctantly placed her hands on the table and closed her eyes. The woman grasped them and closed her eyes. "Oh you poor child...you have had a difficult life. You feel alone. You want to know where you belong. You think you're being watched by someone all the time. You are right. You are in danger, dear child." Hanna's heart began to race within her chest. "Your Mom passed away when you were seven and you never met your Dad." The woman gasped. "It can't be...but it is...I know who your Dad is." Tears came to Hanna's eyes. She couldn't believe this woman knew so much about her life. "I can help you find him." Hanna pulled her hands away and opened her eyes. Her heart was still racing and tears fell from her eyes.

"I should be going," Hanna stated as she jumped up from the table.

"Oh honey, please let me help you," the woman said gently. "My name is Missouri. Your Dad is an old friend of mine. He can help you."

"I...I...I," Hanna stammered. "I don't know." Missouri stood up from the table and approached Hanna. She stopped in front of her and took a hold of her hands.

"He's a good man and he'll want to know about you," Missouri stated. "Please honey, give me your name and address, and I'll try to contact him. It has been a lot of years since I've seen him, but I will try my best."

"Uh...well...Ok," Hanna agreed, "I'm living with my friend Ellen and her family. They are my foster parents. They live at 713 7th Avenue in the Penthouse suite. My name is Hanna Burgess."

"Impressive," Missouri commented as she jotted down the address.

"I guess," Hanna replied. She wasn't very impressed with their lifestyle. Ellen's parents were hardly ever around and when they were, they were always on their laptops or their cell phones. They had nannies to do everything for Ellen and Hanna. Hanna longed for her old life with her Mom. Her Mom was a hardworking waitress who lived paycheck to paycheck, but Hanna always felt loved. It made her sad that it was getting harder and harder to remember her Mother.

"Listen honey, please don't go anywhere alone," Missouri warned as she took Hanna's hands again and squeezed them. "I'm worried for your safety."

"Ok," Hanna replied. "Thank you." Hanna couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Missouri as she stepped outside. Her eyes burned from the bright sunlight. Ellen was in her face as soon as she pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes.

"So what happened?" Ellen questioned eagerly.

"Not much," Hanna replied, "It was a waste of time and money." Once Ellen had her palm read, they caught a cab and headed back home. Hanna was more anxious than usual as she scoped out anyone and everyone that came close to her. She wondered what kind of danger she was in. She wondered about her Dad. What was he like? And would he really come?