Page 57 of Book and Ladder
When I see it, I can’t help the smile that breaks across my face.
I click the email to open it.
Dear BTTP,
I thoroughly enjoyed your episode on theJoy Luck Club.
I thought, since you asked readers to list their favorite things and share them with someone significant, I’d share mine with you.
Here goes … My favorite season is fall. My favorite sounds in the world are a baby’s coo, the squeak of an old floorboard, my friends’ laughter. I love the smell of a warm campfire. My favorite foods are chocolate chip cookies (and yes, I’ve eaten them for breakfast). My favorite drink is Harney’s Hot Cinnamon tea. My favorite tradition is hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree every year in our town square.
Your turn. Tell me your favorites … if you want to.
- M&M
I hit reply and type:
Dear M&M,
I never expected anyone to actually share their list with me.
Here’s my list:
Favorite color: Red
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite sound: bird song or my nieces’ laughter
Favorite smell: old books
Favorite food: pizza (as cliché as that is)
Favorite drink: water (please don’t think I’m boring)
Favorite tradition: honoring heroes in the Memorial Day Parade
That book has me thinking a lot about parents and the heritage we carry from our families. Sometimes that’s a mixed bag, isn’t it?
- BTTP
After I rinse my dishes, I grab the romance novel I’m reading for my next episode and head out the door for work.
I’m chilling in one of our recliners later that morning. Maintenance checks are done and we’re going to work out in a half hour. I wouldn’t admit it out loud to anyone, but I’ve been eager to get back to the book in my hand ever since I arrived at the station. I read the first few chapters at home last night, but then I forced myself to set it down.
“Whatcha readin’ Patrick?” Cody saunters into the room, leaning back against the counter across from mine.
“A book,” I say in the most neutral tone I can muster.
“Must be some book to have to wrap it in … What’s that?” He makes a show of squinting. “The Art of Aerodynamics?” Cody snorts. “Mm hmm. Since when is that your passion?”
“Bet it’s not about aerodynamics at all,” Dustin chimes in.
“Hmph,” I answer, lazily turning a page.
“What’s behind that cover?” Cody asks, stepping closer.
I guess my effort to disguise the book didn’t go as seamlessly as I had hoped it would.
