The Side Away

6

Laura is upset that Mario left her at a shopping mall and left in a hurry after getting a phone call. Laura doesn't want to assume Mika causes Mario to leave without turning her head. Forget about Laura in the crowd. Laura's frustration grew when she entered a bookstore and accidentally dropped several books. He did not intend to do so but the location of the book on the top shelf made it difficult. The shopkeeper scolded her and asked Laura to tidy up the books scattered on the floor. He stopped his activities when he saw a pair of shoes in front of him. Laura looked up and found David standing with a bag of groceries.

Cartiers.

Laura smiled faintly, the man turned out to be a fan of luxury goods. No wonder David lives in an elite apartment around the Manhattan area. Now Laura understood the taste of the man.

"Laura what are you doing?" david asked to help pick up the books.

"I accidentally dropped it. And the guard asked me to put these books where they belong." Laura said.

"The truck's pretty tall, let me put it down. Laura leave the rest to me."

Laura handed the books in her hands to David and the man placed them on the top shelf. High posture did not make it difficult for David to do so. Laura took a few steps back. He felt embarrassed by the stark height difference perhaps David didn't notice. However, Laura's confidence level dropped. He was like a dwarf when he stood beside the man.

"Done." David patted his hands together to clean up the dust. "I'm here looking for my friend. He always goes to the bookstore I never thought I'd meet you. Laura do you like to read?" ask David.

"Not really."

"My friend loved Jane Austin's work. Sometimes he bought the same book and displayed it in the reading room. Laura, such a freak, you have to meet him."

Have good taste?

Laura never read the book. I don't know why he said such nonsense. He only knows the main character. The rest, don't ask that.

Her phone rang shortly after Laura was on public transport. Lucy contacted. She still remembers it after returning from Boston.

"Lala, I miss you. I didn't bring any souvenirs because Jason kidnapped me. I'm at my mom's house now."

Lucy was still as enthusiastic as ever. Laura smiled slightly. Looks like Lucy's not burdened with marriage problems.

"Mario is on her way. He's been in Queens for a week" Laura said.

"Finally my foolish brother humbled himself. Lala, you can't believe Mario hates my mom so much. They were always arguing, not knowing what would happen when Mario came home. Usually I just look at it while eating popcorn."

"Mario never talked about her mother" Laura said honestly.

***