Owen bows his head at the round of applause. Maybe he did go a bit overboard with those posters, but he enjoyed making them so much.
Shelby clears her throat. “Now, before we start, let’s have a quick round of introductions. I’ll go first—oh, we have more company.”
Owen turns to look at the entrance, his lips stretching into a wide smile.
“Are we too late?” asks a young woman in a wheelchair. There’s a white bandana around her head and a mask around her nose and mouth, but Owen can still tell she’s beautiful. Her eyes are green and striking like her brother’s, who’s standing behind her with his hands gripping the handles of the wheelchair.
“Julie, my dear girl! Now this event is even more special!” Shelby calls. “We haven’t started yet. Come, hmm, wheel yourself over. There’s enough room.”
“I can walk.” She slowly moves to stand, brushing Will off when he tries to help her. “I’m fine, Will. It’s just a few steps.” Before she reaches the group, she stops and faces Owen. “I heard a lot about you.”
He swallows, still surprised that she thought this was important enough to be worth the effort. “Good things,I hope.”
She winks. “Of course.”
The room is quiet as Julie carefully sits. She lets out a long breath and says, “Hello, everyone.”
Shelby continues with the round of introductions, and Owen walks over to Will. He opens his mouth to thank him for coming, but at the sight of the bump on his forehead and the scratches on his cheek, he asks instead, “What happened to you?”
Will shrugs, but his eyes shift aside for a moment, making it clear he’s about to lie. “A little work accident. You should have seen the tree.”
Is the tree named Nate?
He doesn’t want to put Will on the spot, though it’s clear that something bad has been happening. “Thank you for coming. I hoped you would.”
Will smiles. “Wouldn’t miss it. I hope you don’t mind, but I took one of your posters home.”
Mind?“Well, youarethe face of the whole campaign.”
Will chuckles quietly. “Maybe a non-reader shouldn’t be the face of a book club.”
“Hey, whatever sells. There’s still some food left if you want.”
“Good, I’m starving.” He slides off his coat. His blue flannel shirt should have been one size bigger with how tightly it wraps around his chest, but Owen isn’t about to complain.
Will goes to the buffet table, which is surprisinglyclean after all the eating. Did Francie warn people in advance?
The group discusses the writing style of the book, and some complain of too many descriptions of nature and whatnot—which Owen agrees with. That was the main reason he didn’t enjoy the book. They move on to discuss the main character and whether or not she has truly grown throughout the story, and if so, was it enough to be worth the lengthy read?
Julie is the first to answer the question. She’s clearly struggling to speak at length, but every one of her words is to the point. She’s articulate and sharp, looking around for eye contact with each of the participants. They all watch her intently, hanging on her every word.
Owen turns his head to search for Will. He’s standing quietly by the corner with his hand covering his mouth as he silently cries.
Owen stares in surprise, but he gets it. When was the last time Will saw his dying sister at a social event, shining so brightly?
Will seems to catch himself. He shakes his head and walks deeper into the library, disappearing down an aisle. Owen takes a few tissues from the counter and quietly walks past the group and into the aisle, finding Will standing with his back to him. His head is bowed, so he might still be crying.
Maybe I should leave him be?But his legs carry him forward. “Will? Are you okay?”
Will moves his head, but it’s not clear if it’s a yes or a no.
Owen walks closer and stops behind him. “Hmm, do you want to be left alone?”
“She’s incredible,” Will says quietly. “I sometimes forget what she could have been if things weren’t so unfair.”
“She has your eyes,” Owen says, though it’s a strange thing to point out now. “I mean—”
Will turns around, his green eyes red from tears. He grabs Owen’s head and pulls him closer.
