A scaly black snake curled up on the floor. It had been sleeping but now was awakened and raised its head. “Everybody out to the new coffee break area. I found a snake.”
One woman screeched, “I hate snakes. I’m leaving. You better not charge me for this lesson.”
She said calmly, “Nobody will be paying for this lesson.”
After everyone left, most with words of encouragement, the snake slithered across the floor, searching for a way out, she guessed. She grabbed her phone from a side table and stepped from the room. She found animal control in Rockford NY and punched in the number. “This is Juliet Sullivan at the Harmony Healing Collective. I found a snake in my yoga classroom.”
“I’ll dispatch a car. What kind of snake?”
“Large and black. About six feet long. No rattles or hissing.”
“It’s probably harmless, but we’ll come get him.”
She heard Finn enter into his office next door. Shaky, Juliet went into his waiting room.
He stood and came out immediately. “Jules, you’re pale as hell. Something happen?”
“There’s a snake in my yoga room.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. I called animal control. Finn, it’s big and black and ugly. How could this happen?”
“We aren’t in a location that should have snakes. There’s minimal vegetation around the perimeter.”
“Come outside with me to wait.”
“Sure.” Minutes after they stepped into the bright sunshine, a vehicle with bright blue letteringAnimal Controland a picture of some kind of pest pulled in. Two women got out. “Who’s got the snake?”
Juliet stepped forward. “I do.”
“So you opened the door to get out?”
“First I got my class out. But I stood by the door. The snake didn’t get out.”
“Show us where your room is.”
They all walked in through Finn’s studio. “The common area’s right there and Juliet’s studio is right next door.”
Juliet’s voice was shaky. “I think it’s under the mats on the right side of the room.”
“You can go back outside.”
She and Finn walked out. He indicated one of the benches placed around the parking lot. “Come on, honey. Let’s sit here.”
They sat. Juliet bit her lip. “What’s going on, do you think?”
“Probably nothing more than a snake out of its element got over here somehow.”
“Or someone put it there.”
Finn’s eyes widened. “Do you think so? The two guards were on duty last night.”
“I know. They waved to me when they left this morning.”
“I seriously doubt someone could come at night and not be seen by them.”
“What’s the alternative?”