Turning the Page Read Online Free PDF

asked.
    "Great, once I actually closed my eyes. It's so quiet, nothing like the city."
    Taylor nodded her dark head in agreement. "I know what you mean. I used to have a studio
    right downtown. It didn't matter what time it was, there was always some sort of sound. I'm
    still not used to being back in the suburbs yet. So, need coffee?"
    Melanie's eyes lit up. "Do I."
    They were sitting in line at the McDonald's drive-thru when Melanie noticed the small, metal
    ring dangling from the rearview mirror. It had some sort of design carved into it, accented by
    light blue dots. "What's this?"
    "It's a chakram."
    "Chakram?"
    "Ever watch Xena?"
    "Xena? Is that the sword-fighting Greek god show? I think I caught a glimpse of it once or
    twice, but I couldn't figure out what all the hype was about. This is that round thing she
    throws around, right?"
    Taylor shook her head in mock-disappointment, tsking as she pulled back onto the road.
    "Melanie, Melanie, Melanie. I see you're in need of enlightenment."
    "I am?"
    "I'm afraid so. It's important that you understand the phenomenon that is Xena."
    "Really." Melanie grinned. "Why is it important?"
    "Because I say it is."
    They grinned at each other for several seconds, before Melanie nodded.
    "Okay. Enlighten me."
    Loving the flirty, albeit unintentional, tone of Melanie's voice, but deciding she wasn't going to
    touch that one with a ten foot pole, Taylor stayed on the subject. "Tell you what. I have every episode on tape—"
    "Every episode?" Melanie's eyes widened.
    "As any good Xenite does."
    "I see."
    "I'll lend you the first few so you can get a feel for the story. After that, I'll leave it up to you. If you want to see more, say the word."
    Melanie laughed heartily. "You've got yourself a deal."
    Taylor smiled with satisfaction as she pulled the little red car to a halt alongside the curb. "I believe this is your stop, young lady."
    Melanie looked up, surprised. The ride had been much quicker than she'd expected, but she
    had a feeling it was due to the company and not the distance traveled.
    The short block held just one long building, which was subdivided into three individual shops,
    the bookstore being in the center.
    Its storefront was not exactly eye-catching, although it was sandwiched between two shops
    that were, making it look even duller than it actually was. The large wooden-framed glass door
    stood alcoved between two oversized display windows facing the sidewalk. The trim, and
    essentially the front of the store, was in dire need of a paint job. What used to be a chocolate
    brown was badly chipped and peeling, revealing a frightful shade of yel ow underneath. A
    crooked, wooden sign, obviously hand-lettered by somebody who was not a sign painter,
    announced that this was Mason's Books.
    Now there's a creative name, Melanie thought to herself, the marketer in her shaking its
    head in disgust. Yup, makes me wanna run right in and buy a whole stack of books.
    Her gaze rested on a sheet of paper taped to the door from the inside. It read "Closed Due
    To Cheating Husband."
    "Oh, that's good for business," she sighed, opening the car door.
    Taylor chuckled. "Hel hath no fury, blah, blah, blah. Your key fits both the front and back
    doors. Do you need anything before I head to the gym?"
    Melanie smiled gratefully at this woman she'd known for one whole day, sorry to see her go.
    "No. I'll be fine." She got out and shut the car door, leaning down to peer into the open
    window. "Thank you, Taylor, for carting me around. You've been great."
    Taylor pulled her sunglasses down to the end of her nose so Melanie could see her smiling
    eyes. "It's been my pleasure." They held each other's gaze for several long seconds before Taylor pushed the shades back into place with her finger. "I'll be back in about an hour and a
    half."
    "I'll be here."
    Melanie watched the car pull away, then turned toward the task at hand.
    MELANIE WAS PLEASANTLY surprised by Mason's Books, despite its