I wait until I see that Meg has taken the rocking chair and the other two are heading for the couch before heading up to my little apartment.
All I want is to hover and encourage Meg to participate, but I have faith in her that she’ll figure it out on her own. Darcy helped me set up this meeting with J.B. and Lily, who are both freshmen at the science high school, so I know they’re both down-to-earth, friendly kids.
I take my time making hot chocolate and cutting up some fruit, which I put on a tray with some cookies. As I’m making my way down the stairs with it, I remindmyself that even if Meg is just sitting and listening to the other two, as long as she’s still in that rocking chair, it’s a victory.
But as soon as I’m out of the staircase I can hear her laughter, and I’m smiling too as I hear Lily quoting one of the villain’s lines in a really excellent imagining of what a narcissistic troll queen might sound like.
I set the snacks on the coffee table in front of them, and float back toward the counter. As much as I’d love to hear what they have to say about the series, I don’t want to be in the way, and I have a feeling they’ll be more candid without an adult there.
The canvas bags with the store logo arrived this morning, and I had a box of special bookmarks made up weeks ago. When it’s clear that the counter is far enough from the sitting area for them to keep chatting like I’m not here, I start tucking bookmarks in bags.
The idea is to give the first hundred customers a special thank you for coming in. And if they like the bags enough to use them, it will be like free advertising every time someone walks around town carrying one.
I smooth out one bag and admire the way the logo looks. It’s a book with angel wings, the wordsA Wing & a Pageare printed in an arch over the top.
The bookmarks have the same logo, along with the store’s social media handles and contact info.
Christmas music plays softly over the speakers I installed myself last week. And when I glance out thewindow, I spot Roan walking a family around the tree lot next door.
By the time I finish putting all the bookmarks in bags, the older girls are really on a roll talking about the series, and Meg has ventured a comment here and there too. I’m proud of her for participating, and of J.B. and Lily for being so encouraging to a younger girl.
I’m just finding the perfect spot under the counter for the bags when I can’t help hearing Meg compare a moment in book two ofFire of Andaloorwith the scene where all the children bounce their balls to the same rhythm inA Wrinkle in Time.
“A Wrinkle in Time,”J.B. sings out fondly. “Ilovedthat book.”
“I used to re-read it every fall,” Lily says, nodding.
“I just read it for the first time,” Meg admits. “Taylor gave it to me because I’m Meg, short for Margaret.”
“That’ssocool,” J.B. tells her.
The three of them instantly start talking about all their favorite parts, and their feelings for the characters, and Meg is all in now, interjecting, laughing, and leaning forward like she’s never been shy at all.
And I get that feeling all over again that I’m right where I need to be. This is what books can do. This is their magic. They pull us out of ourselves, and they can even pull us toward each other.
I busy myself and try not to hover even though all I want is to be a fly on the wall. On a whim, I decide topost a few photos to the shop’s socials. I even upload a quick video of the cuteStarhoofdisplay.
When Darcy’s car pulls up out front to pick them up, they all seem visibly disappointed.
“If you girls want to come back,” I say, grabbing a pair of books off the display on my way. “We could maybe talk about this one. I’d love to know your thoughts.”
They take their copies ofStarhoof. J.B. frowns and flips hers over to read the description.
“Horses?” Lily asks, looking more enthusiastic.
“Unicorns,” I tell her, winking. “I know the cover isn’t super interesting, but the book is really different from anything else I’ve ever read. I’d love to know what you think about it, if you have time to check it out.”
“Thank you for these,” J.B. says. “We’ll definitely be back. See you later, Meg-short-for-Margaret.”
“See you later,” Meg echoes, looking starstruck.
We watch them leave and Meg lets out a happy sigh.
“Sorry I surprised you,” I tell her softly. “But I met J.B. at the Mingle, and I thought you guys would hit it off.”
“They’re high school girls,” Meg murmurs in a way that makes it seem like high school girls are royalty from a different planet.
“They seemed to be having a pretty great time talking books with you,” I tell her, shrugging.
