Free Getting Somewhere by Beth Neff Page A

interrupt. I just wanted to say ‘hi’ to whoever was in here.”
    Jenna tries to smile again, mutters a weak, “Hi,” and begins to get up to replace the book on the shelf.
    â€œReally, Jenna. I didn’t mean to disturb you. You don’t have to stop reading. Were you looking for anything in particular? We’ve got a little of just about everything.” She waves her arm to take in the crowded shelves.
    â€œAre these books yours?”
    â€œI guess most of them are. Now. They belonged to my grandparents but I think they probably bought a lot of them with my mom or any future grandkids in mind. My grandpa was always looking things up. You could hardly talk about anything without him running off to find a book that would tell you more about whatever issue you might be discussing.” She pauses. “Hard to be in this room without thinking of him.”
    â€œHave you read all of them?”
    Grace laughs but not meanly. “No. I guess I’ve read a lot of them but not nearly all. A disappointment to my grandfather, I’m sure.” Grace laughs again, clears her throat. “Some of these are Ellie’s, too.”
    Jenna nods, feels anxious to put her book away but doesn’t really want to end the conversation.
    â€œSo you like maps?” Grace asks.
    Jenna glances down at the atlas that is now closed on her lap, fights the urge to hide it, find some way to camouflage the vivid map on the cover. She shrugs. “I guess.”
    â€œHave you ever seen a plat map?”
    â€œA what? Oh yeah, I saw the books over there.”
    Grace has started to move toward the bookshelf but stops when she hears Jenna’s response. She seems at a momentary loss and then comments, “You can find this place on there, in Adams Township, see the river and how the creek comes in and everything. If you’re interested.”
    Jenna nods. “Cool. Yeah, I’ll do that. Thanks.”
    Grace steps back over to the couch and leans over to pick up
The Bean Trees
from where it lies beside Jenna on the couch. “Is this one yours?”
    Jenna suddenly notices how beat up the book is, hopes none of the pages slip out while Grace is holding it. “Yeah.”
    â€œDid you like it?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œMe too. I love Barbara Kingsolver. Have you read the next one?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWould you like to? I think I have it out in the cabin. I’d be happy to loan it to you. In fact, you can have it. I’m pretty sure Ellie had a copy, too, so we probably don’t need both of them.”
    Jenna isn’t sure what to say. So she just shrugs and nods.
    â€œDo you want to get it right now? I’m going on out there. I think I know right where it is.”
    Jenna nods again. “Sure.”
    She pulls herself up from the couch and walks over to the bookshelf and searches for the place where she removed the atlas. For a second, she feels a flush of panic that she won’t remember where it goes, but Grace doesn’t seem to be paying any attention so she slips it in beside another book that looks a little bit like it.
    Grace turns out the light and Jenna follows her out the door and into the hallway. Just then, the bedroom door beside the office opens and Ellie steps out, wearing a pair of plaid boxer shorts and a saggy T-shirt. She has a pile of folded towels resting on one arm and is clutching a much smaller pile of washcloths in the other. She looks at Grace and Jenna curiously and then asks Grace if she’s all done. Grace says, “Almost. I’ll have to finish the rest tomorrow,” and then says good night and heads out the front door. She holds the screen for Jenna who then hastens to follow, turning back in an effort to prevent the door from slamming behind her to see Ellie still standing there, staring after her.

    J ENNA HAS SEEN Grace go into this building but she had no idea that she lives here. If Lauren is right