Page 128 of Battle of the Bookstores

How many years did I spend avoiding the Boston Public Library because of bad memories? How many years did I refuse to even talk about how devastating it felt to leave college? But Ryan’s been a safe space to share all this—whether behind the scenes as RJ or in real life. He’s encouraged me, cheered me on as I stepped outside my comfort zone, hosting events, presenting at IBNE.

Like my mom said, love creates the perfect environment to face our fears.

I think of my little bookstore again: Tabula Inscripta, and how Jerome explained why he chose that name. He wanted to capture the way each book leaves its mark on us, inscribing new perspectives and ideas on our minds like a well-worn page. All the stories I’ve read have been my teachers, sheltering me when I needed comfort, making life richer, showing me how to face adversity. It’s never been a choice between fictionorreality, booksorpeople, it’s both. I am the product of every book I’ve ever read and every experience I’ve had, each heartbreak and failure, every moment of sadness and joy. The people I’ve met and the characters I’ve encountered, the events that challenged me and the narratives that have stretched me—all this is inscribed on my soul. They are the stories that shape who I am today and give me the strength to reach for more.

Turning, I head inside, back into Ryan’s apartment. I wish I could go in his room and wake him up, tell him my plan, but I stop myself. He isn’t going to like what I’m about to do—he’ll try to stop me. But I need to do it anyway.

I find a pen and paper and leave a note on his coffee table:I have some things to take care of today. Meet me at the bookstore at closing tonight?

Heart pounding, I hesitate before adding:Love, Josie.

Then I gather my things and head out into the brilliant sunshine of a new day.

—

An hour later,I’m at my own apartment. I’ve completed my first step of the plan: asking Cinderella to cover the store today. She hesitated, until I promised her I’ll do everything possible to get Ryan back as manager.

Now it’s time for step two.

I pull out my phone, take a steadying breath, and call Xander.

“It’s not Monday,” he says when he answers.

“I know,” I say, ignoring his irritated tone. “But this can’t wait.”

“What is it?”

“I quit.”

A long, shocked pause. Then: “What? This is ridiculous! Why does nobody want to work anymore? Do you realize how inconvenient this is for me? How much time and effort it’s going to take to find a new manager? I—”

“That’s why you need to convince Ryan to come back.” My heart is pounding. This has to work. Everything relies on it.

He harrumphs. “Why shouldIhave to convincehim?”

“Because he’s the best person for the job,” I say. “And because a bookstore is more than just a store that sells books. It’s the heartbeat of the community, a place where stories and ideas come alive, where people come to explore new worlds, to challenge their thinking, to feel seen and welcomed. Ryan understands that better than anyone. He knows how to connect with readers in a way that builds trust and loyalty. He’s created something here—something real—and without him, this place loses its soul.”

Xander scoffs, and I know I need to bring this down to his level.

“And let’s be honest,” I say, “hiring and training a new manager takes time you don’t have. If you want to keep the store running smoothly and profitably, you need him.”

“True.” Xander seems to be mulling this over. “But how am I going to convince him? He made his feelings pretty clear.”

“First, you need to give him a raise,” I say. “He’s taking on more responsibility with this new position, and he should be compensated appropriately.”

Xander snorts, but he doesn’t say no. And after a moment, he adds, “What if that’s not enough to change his mind?”

“I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to say to him.”

After ending the call with Xander, I turn off my phone. I’m sure Ryan will call me when he hears what I’ve done, and I need more time to set things in motion.

I hear my mom’s words:Anyone can be brave and try again.And Jerome, talking about a mind in progress, with infinitely more to learn.

Finally, I hear my own voice, telling my sister to walk out the door and into the big world, even if it’s scary.

It’s time I listened.

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