“Some of us are already doing that and could use a break,” said Sofia quietly.Sam recalled her saying she was a grad student.She was probably buried in reading.
Margaret gave Sofia a cold look.Sofia raised her chin in an almost challenging posture.
Dylan said slowly, “There’s a new poetry collection by Ocean Vuong.”
The professor said, “Poetry requires sharp group discussion to work.I suggestMiddlemarch.A true classic many people claim to read but haven’t.”
Sofia cleared her throat.“That’s quite long, I think.Maybe we should choose something more accessible?”
“Accessible is another word for unchallenging,” said the professor sharply.
There was a brief pause before Pamela, the retired librarian, said, “What aboutRemains of the Dayby Kazuo Ishiguro?That’s literary but with a manageable length.”
Gerald, who’d been pestering everyone about their dues, checked his notes in a small notebook he’d brought in.“We read that two years ago.”
“Then we’ll readMiddlemarch.Unless anyone has serious objections?”Margaret said this in a tone that discouraged objections.
They all agreed.With the next month’s selection chosen, they adjourned to chat and have more tea.Charlotte busied herself at the cash register, checking out the few copies of the book that she had in stock and promising to order the rest for everyone later.
“What did you make of your first meeting?”asked Olivia in an undertone as they stood in a corner of the bookstore.
Sam cast a look behind her to make sure Margaret was out of earshot and saw the professor was still sitting in the back room of the bookshop, drinking her coffee.“It was good.I liked the book.And it seems like a really good group.Although one member showed up in a cranky mood.”
“Margaret?”Olivia snorted.“She’s always like that.Sorry if it was off-putting.”
“No, it’s fine.It probably helps with discussion, right?Having a dissenting voice.”
Olivia said wryly, “I could handle it easier if she weren’tquiteso dissenting.Anyway, I’m glad you came.It’s been good for me to get out of the house.Of course, my volunteering gets me out, too.It’s just so quiet there, and I feel like I’m rattling around.”
Olivia was a widow, and her younger brother, Jason, had moved out fairly recently after getting a job.Her house was a big one, and Sam knew exactly how she felt since she was alone in a large house, too.“You don’t want to move out?”They started walking out the exit of the bookshop, giving Charlotte a wave as they left.
“I just don’t want the trouble, you know?That’s more work than I feel like I’m up to right now.Plus, I think it would be really emotional.On top of it all, I love living in Maple Hills.Our neighbors are great.If I move to another subdivision, I won’t really know what I’m going to get.”
Sam nodded.“Makes sense.That’s also why I’m staying put.Having Arlo really helps, too.”
“Actually, speaking of Arlo, I have something to tell you.I’ve been thinking about what you said before about getting a pet.I filled out an application at the shelter last week.”
Sam said, “Seriously?That’s great!”
“There’s this older cat there that I really loved when I was walking around.She’s nine, which apparently makes her tough to adopt.She’s got these beautiful green eyes.When I sat with her, she just curled up in my lap and started purring like a little motor.She acted so relieved and happy that I was there.The shelter volunteer said she’d never seen her do that with anyone before.”
Sam said softly, “She chose you.”
“That’s what it felt like.The shelter said they’d call me this week to finalize everything.”
Sam said, “She sounds perfect for you, Olivia.”
They chatted for a few more minutes, then Olivia gave her a quick hug, and they went their separate ways.Minutes later, Sam was opening her front door as Arlo greeted her enthusiastically.
“Hey boy,” crooned Sam.“Did you miss me?I wasn’t gone that long.”
Arlo apparently disagreed with this assessment.He ran in excited circles for a few seconds before leaping up on the sofa to join Sam as she grabbed the selection for the following month and her reading supplies.
Sam took a look atMiddlemarchby George Eliot.All 880 pages of it.She had her purple gel pen (best for marginalia), a pack of color-coded sticky tabs, and index cards.She labeled three of the cardscharacters,themes, anddiscussion questions.
Arlo watched this setup with what might have been judgment.
“Don’t look at me like that, buddy,” Sam told him.“Margaret specifically picked this book to intimidate people.I’m not showing up unprepared.”
