Page 118 of Power
Emily emerges and sees Hope. She walks around the table and hugs her. “Hi, Hope.”
“I’m rebuilding a house, and I found a box of books. But, this one here is for you. I saw it, and was totally vibing on it for you.” Hope hands her the hardcover green book.
Emily opens it, and her eyes widen as a slow smile stretches her lips. “Anne of Green Gables? I’ve always wanted to read this, but never had a chance.”
“Well, there you go, kid. You can read it now.”
“Can I have a look at that?” I ask. Emily hands it to me, and I open and read it in my head. First edition, Fifth Impression, October 1908. “Wow,” I whisper as I hand it back to Emily.
“What is it?” Emily asks.
“First Little Women, and now Anne of Green Gables.” I look to Emily. “We’re moving here with all these rare books. Maybe we’ll find a rare copy of the Old Testament somewhere too!”
“You have no idea of the stuff I find when we’re renovating a house. Honestly, books are one of the most common things. Sex toys too.”
“Sex toys?” Emily asks innocently.
Hope’s cheeks flush when she realizes what she’s said. “Uh.” Hope gulps and looks to me. I hold both my hands up to concede and shake my head. “One day your mom will explain that to you.”
Emily shrugs as she cuddles the book. “Are you sure you’ve eaten enough?” I ask, trying to guide the conversation away from sex toys.
“Yeah. Can I go read?”
“Sure can.”
Emily gives Hope a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for my book. I love it.” She heads back to the mini library in May’s house.
“I really like that one.” Hope shifts her eyes toward the hallway before jamming even more food into her mouth.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to give her that book. It’s probably worth at least a couple of thousand dollars.”
“Kid! Give it back,” Hope jokingly calls. “How do you know so much about books?”
“I really don’t. But, my best friend, Tash, she wanted to get out of corporate life and wanted to own a bookstore, so I bought her one. She called it Books, Books and Coffee.”
“Did you?” Hope asks. “I guess she sells books, books and coffee there.” Hope smiles warmly.
“She did a lot for Emily and me when we moved to Washington. She took us in, and let us live with her. She literally saved us. Emily and I were living in my car, and I had no one to look after her when I worked, so I’d take her with me.”
“Ewww.” Hope screws her nose. “I mean, I don’t care what you do, but taking the kid?”
“Stop being so judgmental,” May snaps. “You have no idea what Reece has had to do.”
“If you two are done, maybe I can elaborate.” I stare at both Hope and May. “When I moved to Washington, I was working in a cafe and living in my car with Emily.”
“Oh my God.” Hope places her hand to her chest. “Sorry, Reece, my mind automatically responded, and obviously my mouth did too. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, so you should be,” May says.
“Anyway, back to what I was saying, Tash let us live with her and she looked after Emily because she was working from home.”
Hope chews on more food. “I’m sorry,” she apologizes again.
“Both of you have been nothing but kind to Emily and me, so it’s okay. I can tell you, other than Tash, I’ve never had anyone I can ask for help.”
“I saw the interview your mother gave.”
“Ugh,” I groan.
