Page 67 of Summer Reading

“I like that kid,” she said.

“Me, too,” I agreed. I was a little surprised by how much I meant it. “So, listen.” I paused. Clearly, Em was my friend, and after seeing her display, I knew she wouldn’t judge me, but I did so hate feeling vulnerable. “I, um, I was wondering, how do I go about checking out audiobooks?”

She tipped her head to the side, considering me. With her overly large glasses she looked like a friendly, inquisitive little bird, and yet I still felt stupid for asking.

“I mean, I know, it’s not like really reading,” I said. “But I’ve recently discovered that listening to books is kind of cool.”

“What do you mean it’s not like reading?” she asked. Her pale green eyes flashed with something that looked like indignation.

“Well, because I’m not actively reading, you know, single-mindedly with my eyes on the words and shutting everything else out.”

“So what?” she asked. She looked fierce. “Sixty-five percent of the population learns visually, while thirty-five percent are auditory learners. You just happen to be one of those.”

I had not known this statistic and it immediately made me feel better.

“I’ll tell you something else,” she said. “People who learn words by reading them are shit at pronunciation.”

I burst out laughing, which I was certain was what she intended.

“It’s true,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve embarrassed myself by pronouncing a word wrong because I learned it by reading. Audiobooks prevent that and you still learn the theme and all that other junk.”

“Junk, huh?”

She shrugged. “You know what I mean. How you connect to a story is your choice, whether it’s from reading or listening or watching.”

“All right,” I said. “I’m sold. Show me what you’ve got.”

Em took me to the computer catalog. She sat down and walked me through the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing or, as locals called it, the CLAMS online catalog system, searching my preference for audiobooks. She then used my library card to download a volume by the same author Ben was reading to me.

As she pointed out other books I might enjoy, I surreptitiously glanced around the library looking for Ben. No sign of him. Huh.

“Ben is in a meeting with the Friends of the Library,” she said.

“Oh.” I felt my face get warm and she smiled. “Did you want me to tell him you were looking for him?”

“No, not necessary,” I said. “I have to go to the store and prep for Friday’s happy hour at the inn.”

“Do you need me to help that night?” she asked. She rose from her seat.

“No, but thank you. Stuart said he’d have some of his regular staff available.” She looked disappointed so I quickly added, “But I’d love it if you’d come and hang out. It’s always nice to see a friendly face, plus Finn Malone is working as a bartender and I know he’d love to catch up.”

She cheered up immediately. “All right, I’ll be there.”

I noticed that while we’d been talking, she hadn’t touched the bandage on her neck again. It was as if she’d forgotten about it. It occurred to me that she needed something else to think about. I thought the mystery of who Ben’s father was might be of interest. I’d ask him first, of course, but I was hoping he’d allow me to include Em. It could be what she needed to take her mind off her worries.

“Excellent,” I said. “See you later?”

“I’ll be here.” She sounded resigned, as if her life was a set routine with no deviation. Or maybe she was worried about the results of the biopsy and she was thinking she was here but not for much longer. Either way, I was concerned about her.

I gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for your help.”

“You bet.” She turned back to her display and I headed for the stairs.

I had just exited the building and was halfway down the walkway when I heard someone shout my name. I thought it might be Tyler. It wasn’t.

Ben came striding toward me. He had a rolled-up piece of paper in one hand and he looked full of purpose. Oh my.

“What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

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