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You mean one besides staring at myself in the mirror?
Iris
I can’t tell if you’re being serious or not.
Let’s keep it a mystery.
Iris
What about knitting?
Hell no.
Iris
Crocheting?
…
Iris
Reading a book?
Hmm. I haven’t read much since I was a kid, but that seems like a better option than attempting to create something with a ball of yarn.
Any recommendations?
Iris
Let’s ask Zahra.
Iris follows up with a message in the group chat I share with the two of them.
Iris
Do you have any book recommendations for Cal?
I throw my ball against the ceiling as I wait for Zahra to answer.
Zahra
What do you like?
The opposite of whatever you read.
Zahra
No romance. Got it.
My phone starts pinging from her texts of recommendations. I pull up my notes app and type out her suggestions before leaving the guesthouse.
By the time I park outside One More Chapter Bookstore, Zahra sent an encouraging message about how happy she is about me getting into reading.
The tiny store hasn’t changed one bit since Lana and I used to visit. Tall wooden shelves line the walls, packed to the very top with books waiting to be purchased.
“Hi. How can I help you?” Meg, the older woman who has owned the shop since my mom used to take my brothers and I here, pops up behind me.
“I’m looking for a book.” I turn to face her.
