Page 42 of Let Me

Just feeling a way.

The texting ceases.She probably had to get back to work, I assume – well, until I see her name followed by leaves on my caller ID display.

“Hi, Autumn.”

“What do you mean you’re feeling a way?”

“It’s…I ended up getting into an argument with my father and it escalated like it always does with him.”

“Okay, so the best thing to do is wait until he calms down and then talk to him.”

“There is notalkingto my father.”

“Has it always been that way?”

“No.This all happened after I decided not to pursue a career in economics.He feels like I wasted my degree and he hates the way I live.”

“Oh.I see.Well, I’m sorry you’re going through that.I wish there was something I could do, but I’m stuck at work.”

“I know, and I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”

“No, it’s not a disturbance at all.Anytime you need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you, Autumn.”

“You’re welcome, Judah.I wish I could hug you right now.That would make you feel better.”

“Since you can’t, how about you tell me a joke?”

She grins.“I don’t know any jokes.”

“You do.Just make up one.Make it book-related.”

“Oh, gosh—you mean like that one you told me at the bookstore?”

“Yeah.Just like that.”

“Okay.Um…let’s see…um…okay.Why did the romance books start dating?”

“Why?”

“Because they were on the same page.”

I grin.Her little joke has put me in a better mood.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You know that was worse than the one I came up with.”

“No, it wasn’t,” she says, tickled.

“It was.Now, we’re even.”

“If you say so, Judah.”

“Hey, if you would like to meet for lunch—”

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