(About) the Reader

The reader knows everything about the
heroine. When not reading or within earshot
of other readers, the reader refers to
the heroine’s favorite songs, foods and
movies as if they were the reader’s own. As if
the heroine stepped out of line to dodge a
bullet and the reader closed the gap.

The reader comes from a long line of listeners
who took up reading when words became
flesh. For this reason, there are days the
reader goes without reading. Or sleep.

Sometimes, the reader imagines the heroine
staring back across the fire.