The woman's cobalt jacket matches her cobalt purse which matches her cobalt hat and gloves. Her shoes are shiny black. Each morning she painstakingly polishes them restoring their shine. The man is in shades of gray--his clothes didn't start out that colour. This is his corner--home and office.
The woman studies the array of books on the cardboard box. She reads the sign written in pen--$5 for 1, $10 for 3. She puts a ten-dollar bill in the plastic jar, smiles at the man, and takes her books home.
Every day for weeks the woman continues to buy her books from the man. Until one day she finds no books only the plastic jar remains.
"Morning, Joe. Where are your books?"
"Morning, Veronica. Someone bought them all."
"Well, I've finished reading them. I'll just bring them all back." And she does--three books at a time--and she brings more.
Others notice Veronica's donations and add to Joe's collection.
After that Joe tells her, "Oh, no, you don't pay."
So she hides a five-dollar bill in each book--hopeful that Joe will find it after she leaves.
photo by ldyck
On this blog in April...
Sunday, April 4
Poem
Dog Hair
Leanne Dyck
Wednesday, April 7
Author reading
Island Storyteller (short story)
written and read by Leanne Dyck
Sunday, April 11
Book Review
Rabbit Foot Bill
Helen Humphreys
Wednesday, April 14
Author reading
Avalon (poem)
written and read by Leanne Dyck
Sunday, April 18
short story
Neighbourly
Leanne Dyck
Wednesday, April 21
Author reading
The Way of It (short story)
written and read by Leanne Dyck
Sunday, April 25
Guest Post
Savannah Cordova
How to Maintain Writing Productivity
Through Tough Times
Wednesday, April 28
Author reading
Her First Crush (poem)
written and read by Leanne Dyck
