Chapter 63
“But Augustine”
“Go away, Selina!”
I blink, surprised. She thinks I’m… her? I don’t think I sound like Selina at all. “I’m not Selina,” I reply quickly. It’s me, Iris. Open the door and see for yourself.”
There’s a pause, and I think she might finally oblige. But she doesn’t. Rather, I just hear the chain go across the door. “I’m not falling for your tricks again!” she shouts, her voice retreating into the apartment. “Go away, and stop bothering me!”
I open my mouth to call out to her again, but stop myself. She must be having some kind of episode from her dementia. I decide to leave her be for now, and come back when she’s in a better mood. And maybe Cliff can help. me get through to her.
When I return to the playground, Miles is running circles around the park bench where Cliff is sitting Cliff looks up as I approach.
“Well? How did it go?”
I shake my head, suddenly feeling the need to blink back tears. “She thought I was…” I can’t say Selina’s name out Moud right now, so I just shake my head again. “I think she got confused, that’s all. I’ll try again tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Iris. She gets in these moods sometimes… But yes, do try again tomorrow. Maybe if you can bring something that will jog her memory of you, she’ll snap out of it.”
I nod, letting Miles play for a while longer before we head inside. On the way up to the apartment, I consider Cliff’s words, and recall how I used to have those book club meetings with Augustine.
I never did finish the last book we were supposed to read–only got halfway through it before I left, and I mistakenly left it behind. I bet it’s still sitting on the shelf, actually. Maybe if I bring it to her, she’ll remember me and will want to talk.
In the apartment, Miles runs off to play by himself and I step into the living room where the tall bookshelves are. They stretch all the way to the ceiling, shelves upon shelves filled to the brim with books.
“Shit,” I mutter, biting my lower lip. It’s been so long that don’t remember where I put that book. Climbing onto the rolling ladder that’s attached to the wall, I begin to methodically make my way through the shelves in search of the book. There are a lot of titles that I remember reading before, and I fondly run my finger across the spines with a faint smile touching my lips. However, I can’t seem to locate the last book I was reading. I slowly make my way down the rows of shelves, pushing the ladder along with my foot. It rolls easily, reminding me of the days when I used to peruse the titles in this very same way. My own home library. I wonder if Arthur ever got around to reading some of the titles that we purchased at used book stores on a whim.
Suddenly, as I’m extending my left leg to give myself a push to the next shelf, my foot slips. I gasp, losing my footing, my hand swiping toward the rung to catch myself a moment too late.
It all happens so fast. My stomach drops as I begin to fall the sixteen feet back to the floor, arms windmilling out to the sides. I fall like a sack of potatoes, bracing myself for a painful impact.
But then, suddenly, sturdy arms catch me with ease. When the panic subsides enough to make sense of what just happened, I blink dazedly up and see Arthur’s concerned face staring down at me.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
