I sat
down in one of the comfortable wingback chairs. Still, I perused the shelves.
Nothing.
Nothing stood out.
I rose and walked to the shelves, determined to take the first book I found that sounded remotely interesting.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. A classic, yes, but by an author who wasn’t more intent on making his word-count than he was on telling a good story. That would work.
I grabbed the book and walked out of the library—
And met the blue gaze of Bryce Simpson.
Of all the…
I walked past him, determined to ignore him, but—
He grabbed my arm.
“Hey!” I said.
“You’re going to ignore me?”
“It’s what you want, isn’t it? And you’d better lower your voice. My brothers are right there in the office.”
He stood silently for a minute, and then he eyed my book. “Reading?”
“I thought it would be nice for a lazy Sunday afternoon.” I held up the book.
And he turned white.
Of course. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A man who lived a double life with two distinct personalities.
Just like Bryce’s father.
“Have you read it?” I asked.
“A long time ago.”
“I wasn’t…”
“I know. It’s okay. I should read it again.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I can’t just make the fact that he existed disappear, and I can’t make everything that reminds me of him disappear.”
I nodded. “Enjoy your meeting. Excuse me.”
“Marj?”
I looked over my shoulder. “What?”
“I…uh…” Then he shook his head. “Nothing.” He knocked on the door of the office.
“Bryce?” Joe’s voice.