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She jumped when he put a hand on her arm. “It’s not the presentation. I’ve got other things to attend to that I’ve been neglecting all week.”
“I thought Papa’s Place was right next door to Gherring Inc. Couldn’t you just take a lunch break?” asked Charlie.
“I was actually planning to skip lunch—”
“Mom says you should never skip a meal.”
Gherring’s dimples deepened. “So I’ve been told. Sure, I’ll come over for a quick lunch. I just can’t play around all day.”
Gherring dropped the girls off at Binding Books. As they walked into the quaint store, Charlie protested. “Mom, we’re never going to get Emily out of here!” She pointed to Emily who was already totally absorbed in the book collections. She gravitated quickly to the antique books.
“Come meet Ellen,” said Anne, dragging Charlie to the checkout counter. Ellen’s straight glossy brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Her razor cut bangs emphasized the almond shape of her brown eyes.
“Ellen, you got your hair cut. I like the bangs,” said Anne.
“Thanks. Just got it done. It’s for my character in the play. This must be your daughter. She looks just like you.”
“Hi I’m Charlie.”
“I’m Ellen. Nice to meet you. I met your mom on the subway.”
“No one else would talk to me,” Anne said. “I kept trying to start conversations, and people just looked at me like I had antlers or something.”
“No one talks to strangers on subways. Except your mom. But she was too friendly to ignore.”
“Charlie’s just like me. When she was a little girl, she would meet people in a store and invite them to our home.”
“I bet you had some interesting house guests,” said Ellen.
“So, Mom says you’re an actress.”
“I’m trying to be one. I have my first lead role in a small production. We may only be open for a week, but it’s a start.”
“She’s very talented,” declared Anne. “She sings and dances too.”
“Your mom’s never actually seen me do anything.”
“I can tell. I have a sense about these things.”
“That’s my sister, Emily, over there sitting on the floor.”
Ellen looked over to where Emily had plopped down on the floor, surrounded by a pile of old books. “You can tell her there’s a seating area in the back.”
“She’s happy. No use bothering her,” said Anne.
“So Emily’s your big reader in the family?”
“We all read a lot, but Emily is excessive,” Anne said.
“Do you have a sci-fi/fantasy section?” Charlie ambled toward the inviting books.
“On the aisle opposite your sister.”
“So, how’s the play coming along?” Anne asked.
“It’s so much fun.” Ellen’s face lit up. “We rehearse again this afternoon. But they’re having money troubles—one of the big underwriters dropped out. Hopefully, the money will last until we open. Nothing’s for sure with these small groups. That’s why I can’t quit this job at the bookstore.”
The wheels started turning in Anne’s head. If only she could find a way for them to get the money they needed. “I hope it all works out.”
