Insight, fate and human frailties intermingle in this love story for winter from the pen of MICHAEL HOFFMAN

You'd probably recognize me if you saw me. I'm on TV a lot; a fortuneteller is a good draw, and talkshow hosts are always happy to get their hands on one.

How did I become a fortuneteller? One thing and another. Essentially, this: There was no room for me in a shrinking economy. I drifted from job to job, going nowhere -- convenience stores, gas stations, construction sites. My god! I'm not cut out for that sort of life. I'm an educated man.