“Only a few?”
She hesitates, then lifts one shoulder. “Maybe more like five.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Only five?”
She looks down. “They’re just something different to do.”
“Hey, I’m not judging. If you like ‘em, you like ‘em.”
I nod toward the book next to her. “What is that one about?”
She stills for a second, then focuses her attention on the crab.
“Sorry.”
I frown. “For what?”
“For the books… and not helping as much lately.” She keeps working as she talks, tapping at the shell. “I know I’ve been slacking on the chores.”
“Charlotte, it’s fine.”
“But you’ve been doing most of the work.”
“So?”
She finally looks up at me. “So it’s not fair.”
I shrug, nudging a piece of driftwood deeper into the fire with my foot. “The island’s not going anywhere. The chores will get done.”
“But still?—”
“Hey.” I cut her off, softer this time. “If reading makes you happy, then read.”
She studies me for a second, then smiles. “I enjoy it very much.”
Out here, there aren’t many things left that feel new. Most days are just work and routine and trying not to think too hard about everything we lost. If she’s found something that breaks up the monotony, good for her.
“The stories are exciting. I like them.”
I nod toward the book beside her knee. “So tell me about that one.”
She stills. “Umm… it’s about… umm people.”
“People,” I echo.
“Doing things.”
I wait for more information, but I get nothing. “People doing things. Okay.”
“Emotionalthings.” Then, after a beat, “And…physicalthings.”
I watch her for a second, but she still doesn’t expand. “Sounds thrilling.”
She glances at me, then away again. “I don’t know how to explain them.”
“Maybe I should read one and see what I’m missing.”
Charlotte nearly drops the crab. “No.”
