I want a book

I was at work this afternoon and had to paste a smile on my face and be the perfect salesperson to a mother I wanted to say not so nice words to. She was in with a young boy and a teen girl. The kids immediately went to their various areas and started searching for books while the mom sat in one of our comfy chairs to wait. Shortly, the boy came out with two used books, about $5.00 in total. The girl picked out one for about the same amount. The mother put the boy's books up on the counter. The girl looked at her, asked if she could have the book. Her mother said "Not today." The look on the girl's face was one of complete and utter disappointment.

In listening to the conversation, the mother wasn't denying because of content or any other reason, just a 'not today.'

Now granted, I don't know if anything else went on in the family that day. There may have been other reasons why she didn't want the girl to have a book this day. Maybe she'd spent money on the girl earlier, or anything. But the hurt on the teen's face when her brother walked out with his books and she couldn't was very telling. There are few enough teens willing to pick up a book to read and I am a firm believer in encouraging reading whenever possible. I hope that girl does get a chance to come in and get her book.

In the meantime, I love being surrounded by books. And I'm finding all sorts of new authors to read. I can think of no better way to pass a quiet day than with a book in hand.