Meant To Be Read Free

the room-full-of-books look so we’re still debating. I’ve got tons of books.”
    “Me too,” he said. “Heaps of them. Luckily I get to keep a lot of them at my office. One of the perks of being an English professor. They expect that you’ll have lots of books so they give you plenty of shelves. That’s what’s kept my house from getting overrun.” He thought about Justine complaining about what dust collectors his books are.
    “These are great.” He flipped through the Cummings book while Marienne started the car.
    “Would I find any books in your car right now?” she asked.
    He thought for a moment. “I don’t think so, though there usually are a few. Right now I think all I have is a stack of really bad freshman poetry. I’ve always thought cars should have a little bookshelf built in somewhere. You know, for when you’re in line at the bank drive-through, or stuck in traffic.”
    “I don’t think reading while driving is really encouraged by the car companies.”
    “True.” He chuckled. “I mean, not that I read while I’m driving. Well, I guess you are technically still driving when you’re stuck in traffic, so I suppose I do. See, this is why it’s a good idea for me to carpool with Frank when I do have to drive into the city. Countless drivers will be kept out of harm’s way because I’ll have someone to talk to and I won’t read whenever traffic stands still.”
    He turned to look at her. She looked so tiny behind the wheel, much smaller than he’d expected, and not at all what he’d assumed Frank’s wife would be like. He’d figured that she would be business-like, more like Frank, and Justine, and she wasn’t. At all. Even in profile her eyes appeared huge, giving her face an innocent sweetness.
    There was something very comfortable about her presence. He didn’t feel the way he usually felt around new people, as though they were trying to figure him out or sum him up. Marienne seemed content to just talk and appeared to really listen to his answers. As a teacher he was well aware of how few people listen to what others are saying. It was nice to feel that, for a change, someone was paying attention. And laughing at his jokes, which was always appreciated.
    “Which house is it?” she asked as she turned down his street. “I’ve never seen it from the front.”
    “It’s that one, right there.” He pointed out the window and Marienne pulled up in front of it.
    “Thank you for the ride. Do you want to come in? Meet Justine?”
    “No.” Marienne sounded apologetic. “I’m feeling pretty miserable. I can’t believe I met anyone in this condition. I’d like to meet her soon, though.”
    “No worries. We’re not going anywhere. In fact, if you’re feeling better by Friday, why don’t you and Frank come for dinner. Sort of a welcome to the neighborhood. Nothing fancy. Chinese takeout and a game of pool? Do you like Chinese food?”
    “Yes, we do. That sounds great. Though if you have a pool table I have to warn you, Frank may ask to move into your house.”
    “I’ll consider myself warned.”
    “Do you want to check with Justine first? About dinner?” she asked.
    “No, I’m sure she’ll be fine with it.” Daniel said, surprising himself, as he had no idea if she’d be anything of the sort.
    “Okay, well I’ll check with Frank. He has your number, right?”
    “Yes. Though you could just yell your answer across the yard,” Daniel said. “Actually, you better have Frank do the yelling. You’ve got a very soft voice.”
    “You only think that because you’ve never heard me yell.”
    “Is that another fair warning statement?”
    “It might be depending on how stage crew goes. We’ll see how good you are with your hands.” Her eyes widened and she blushed again, but Daniel laughed.
    “I’ll do my best.” He opened the car door. Her eyes looked tired and glassy, but still twinkled with friendliness. “Thanks again for the ride.”
    He smiled as he