Super Short Story (169): Reader
On the flight, she noticed the passenger
to her diagonal left in front
was reading a thick book without a front, back or spine cover.
Every time he finished reading a couple of pages,
he would rip the piece off,
and stuff it in the seat-back pocket semi-discreetly.
Maybe he wants to read the book
without wanting others to know what it is,
but his reading habit already draws attention – from her at least.
Maybe he wants to lighten his load as he reads,
as the thumping book is really thick,
as he has no intention to reread it?
Maybe he has no plan to share or shelf the book,
because it’s not that good after all,
or this could just be his travel copy?
Maybe he wrote the book,
and is reviewing its ‘worth/lessness’,
or letting go of what is read ‘literally’ (pun intended)?
Maybe he already has too many books,
and prefers to store them in his head,
but all these are just speculations.
She’ll never know,
but she grabbed a page from the pocket,
on her way out of the plane to see what it’s about.
It made her wonder
if she would ever read this way,
especially her most cherished book or even diary.