2020-05-13 - Long Way to a Small Angry Planet - Patrick and Sajani

Patrick Peterson entered Dust Jackets not knowing exactly what he was looking for.  On Alexandra, Dust jackets was the place to go for used books.  The owner had perished and the ownership passed to Phoenix Fire Moon who owned that building anyway.  During the time trapped in the fog, Phoenix had turned it into a lending library, trading books for whatever the market would bear.  Now .. it was back to the money.  And Phoenix had apparently gotten in a nice shipment of books … and Patrick was a closet reader.  Dust Jackets also happened to be in the same rather dark alley that The Gym was in.  So it was easy to sneak in before he went for a workout.  But he wasn't working out today and was dressed in runners, casual jeans and a sweatshirt because the bookstore ran cold.

As seemed always to be the case, Dust Jackets was empty, save for the lone cashier, reading a book of his own on a stool at the register.

Unlike modern bookstores, Dust Jackets had no cafe.  It only had decent lighting and smelled of old and used books.  Patrick loved the place.  He started browsing the shelves in the back.  Not because there was anything dirty there .. this place actually held no real pornography of any kind.  Just books.  Good Books.  Classic books.  Newer books bound to be classic books.  His thing was anything from the 1950’s and he was on a bit of a hunt for something new … but old.

Sajani wandered into Dust Jackets and breathed in the scent of old books. It was the best smell ever. Sajani loved books. Her father used to tease her that she was born reading. She was certainly an early reader and a forever avid reader now. She just smiled at the cashier but didn’t disturb him with conversation. He was reading after all and reading as a sacred thing. She shifted her big colourful purse as she combed through the shelfs and stacks. She was wearing work clothes because she had just finished her day so today it was a loose teal coloured tunic style top over tank top and a jean skirt with a pair of funky printed leggings and her studded little ankle boots. She found herself in the sci fi aisle and started reading the backs of a few things and then her eyes fell on the entire Becky chambers series and she gave a little gasp of joy. She picked them all up and cradled them like a long lost child. She had read the first one of course, checked out from the univeristy library, but never gotten to the rest. Second hand score!

Patrick was scanning title after title but nothing was slapping him in the face and screaming ‘buy me’ at him.  That wouldn’t stop him. He was on a mission.  Suddenly he heard a gasp and he turned.  He wasn’t an EMT but he knew enough first aid to help until EMT’s arrived.  But what he found himself facing was Sajani, dressed beautifully and cradling a series of books.  He took a step forward.  “Do you need a priest to perform the ceremony?”  he asked, trying to quip.  Their last encounter had been awkward and now here she was, still looking beautiful.  Maybe this time he could have a normal conversation.

Sajani looked up and smiled awkwardly at Patrick as if he had busted her “That depends...can I marry all 4 of them?” She holds up the first one enthusiastically “And have you read these? Because I think every human should read these books...every human!” She makes an all encompassing hand sweep with the book still held in her hand she’s sweeping. The title is The Long Way to a Small Angry  Planet.

Patrick arched his brows.  “That sounds like one hell of an endorsement.”  he starts to reach for one of the books and then realizes she might smack him for a thief.  So he takes a step closer and peers at the books cover and spine.  “It looks a little …. Modern .. to be any good.”  he doesn’t scoff with derision … exactly.

Sajani offers the book to his reaching hand “Here…..” She eyes him a little mock defensively “Too modern to be any good? What does that mean Patrick?” She’s teasing him a little now but she is genuinely curious.

Patrick takes the book and opens the cover.  “It means…”  he says a little imperiously to her mock defensiveness.  “That 2014 … oh for goodness sake, Sajani.  That wasn’t even a decade ago?  We were still in school.”  he laughs.  “This is not a classic, it’s just a used book.” he protests.

Sajani looks amused by all this. She’s never seen this side of Patrick before. Strong opinions over stumbling and being awkward. “Well we are in a  used book store…”She chides a little. “And is it not possible for modern literature to match, nay even surpass the quality of a classic? The only truth is in the reading of the book…” She points at it in his hand “You buy it. If you hate it I’ll buy it off you, no loss. I’ve actually read that one but it was a library loan at school. I’m happy to go onto book 2…..” She wagges the second book of her pile now.

Patrich arches his brows.  “Nay?  Really, Sajani?  High falutin talk for a used bookstore, don’t you think?”  he teases her, but he looks at her dainty hand pointing at the book and resists the urge to take it.  Instead he looks down at her with a half a grin.  “It’s a bet.”  he pulls the book towards himself and then pauses, looking at her.  “Now .. go out with me?”  the words left his mouth before they could be checked by any censor in his brain.  He tightens his jaw and prepares for her laughter.  At least it was pretty laughter.

Sajani giggles at the high falutin comment and then is about to answer him in an entirely Shakepearen sentence when he up and asks her out. She stares at him with wide eyes trying to find words...any words and finally her eyes drift to the book in his hand and she answers “Only if you read the whole thing. And I’d like that to be a yes so how fast do you read?” She can’t believe she just challenged him with that...and herself. She flushes and coughs looking down at her pile of books self consciously.

Patrick arches his brows.  She hadn’t hit him.  No … she had .. challenged him.  He reaches out and touches her chin, hoping to lift her head so she will look at him.  “Less than 48 hours.  I’ll even text you when I’m done.  Then we’ll meet at Zabats .. say ...seven o’clock on Friday?” he searches her face .. looks into her eyes .. waiting on a reply.

Sajani feels the warmth of his hand on her chin and lifts to meet his gaze, suddenly holding her breath and trembling slightly. He was touching her. He was confident. He had beautiful lips. Focus Sajani...he was asking her to confirm a time to meet for dinner, She shifted her eyes back up from his lips to his eyes “Y….yes..” She stammered out. “Yes to Friday...Zabats...you…” The last word came out as a whisper.

Patrick smiled and heard her words. Yes to him?  Yes, please. He tries to play it cool, stroking her bottom lip with his thumb, and his heart stopping in his chest. What would Chris do?  He wondered.  The answer was probably laugh, then go play with Blaze.  “It’s a date.”  He whispers,  and licks his lips.  He wants to kiss her so bad, he can taste it.  He tries to resist.

Sajani looks down at his hand feeling dizzy now and trying to just breathe. She shivers and then almost involuntarily feels her lips respond to him slightly kissing the finger on her lip and then getting so flustered she sways back and trips over the heel of her own boot falling towards the bookshelf. She vaguely hears him say date. It seems their roles have reversed.

He feels her lips on his thumb and his body begins to react .. and then she is falling.  He comes back to himself and grabs for her, hoping to keep her from falling.  “You OK?”  he asks, the slightest of laughs in his voice.  His burgeoning erection fades as if it was never there.  The spell is broken.

Sajani is caught by Patrick on one arm and the bookshelf on her other side arm and shoulder. Her books fall and she laughs at herself “I totally meant to do that. Why do I feel like this is some sort of freaky Friday?” She gets her balance again and then stoops to retrieve her books.

Patrick didn’t understand at first, but then it hits him.  “Oh .. right.”  he kneels also picking up a book and offering it to her.  “Sajani.  I … know why you didn’t show up and I totally understand.”  he tells her.  “And then you went to school and then … I figured you had sophisticated college men and …”  he shrugs.  “I’m just a hose jackey carrying a torch.  But … well … if nothing else we can have a great meal and …  I dunno?”

Sajani shakes her head and takes the book “I’m really sorry I didn’t at least call you…..I know you understand.” She slowly starts to stand now hugging the books to her “And for the record….there was only one college man and he just ripped out my heart and stomped on it. You are more than a…” She laughs “Hose jockey? Must be a fire fighter joke…” She smiles now genuinely “Let’s just see how it goes ok?” She takes his book briefly and pulls a pen from her purse and writes her number in the inside cover “There’s my number to text me.”

The mention of a college man who ripped out her heart makes him feel a stab of pity, but he doesn't say sorry.  Maybe he could help her heal.  At the hose jockey reference he smiles.  “Chief Stanley jokes and says all we have to do is put the wet stuff on the hot stuff … or the red stuff.”  and then he nods and straightens to his full height.  “We’ll see.”  He holds up the book and stares at the number.  Then he pulls out his phone, adds it to his contacts and sends her a text immediately ‘@ bookstore.  Buying great book! Wish u were here’.  “I’ll read this as soon as I can.”  he promises.

Sajani smooths her hair and her sleeve self consciously and shifts her purse a bit on her shoulder. She does smile though “Chief Stanley is funny. Friday. Zabats...and if you really like the first one, maybe I’ll have the second one read to lend you.” She realizes she is making plans to stay connected with that offer. Then his text comes in and she looks at her phone and cracks up at him.

Patrick smiles.  “Then I guess that’ll be our second date….”  he looks at her and suppresses a sigh.  “I better buy this and get started on my reading.”  he winks at her.  This would be fantastic.  There were no sick relatives.  Nothing that could get in the way this time.  And he knew that the date would be worth the 6 year wait.