Previous WG post here.
About a month after Melissa became our roommate, I thought about strangling Martin. Well, not really. But did he seriously think I would let him drive my car?
We were on my first business trip for the library. Athelia Kensington – the name reeks of riches, doesn’t it? – had willed most of her extensive personal book collection to us, and I needed to catalogue it before anything could be packed up and moved. Her other beneficiaries (family and friends) weren’t even allowed in the room until I had completed the work, just in case anyone might be tempted to pocket a priceless volume not intended for them.
When I mentioned it as we all coordinated our schedules the week before, Martin was the only one who seemed remotely interested. I don’t take those non-reactions personally because I know that books aren’t their thing; they read them and use them as textbooks and references, but none of them are the type to love shelving, organising, re-reading multiple times, even smelling them! Naturally, I was surprised that Martin asked to come with me, but I wasn’t so overwhelmed that I promised him the keys…
As we prepared to leave, he kept asking over and over, persistent guy that he is. Finally, however, he finished loading the car – I can’t pack light, it’s just not in my genes – and hopped in the passenger seat. I assured him that if I felt tired at all, I’d consider letting him drive. And I might have, but it wasn’t that long of a trip.
Martin’s a good companion on a road trip. He didn’t insist on changing the radio station like Rob does, nor did he sing along at top volume like Carrie enjoys doing; he actually asked what kind of books I expected to encounter at Athelia’s house. I’d heard rumours of some great first editions, complete works of many authors, and even a set of comic books in mint condition. (Yes, they were called that once upon a time, though when I’m at work I remember to use the term “graphic novel” in case I’m talking to a fan of the genre.) I personally hoped for variety so that everyone could benefit from Athelia’s gift.
I expected him to wander around her large house – a mansion almost – when we arrived, but he asked to help! I showed him the information needed on each book and how to properly handle older volumes, and he got to work right away. He didn’t even complain of boredom after the first hour. I needed a break by then, so we wandered around a few nearby rooms and ate a snack from the picnic basket I’d brought.
We’d made it through a good portion of the collection by evening. Martin stopped me when he noticed the sun setting, and then we had dinner at a nearby restaurant that turned out to be quite the find. He told me jokes as we waited for our food, and didn’t mind me babbling about “Willow Grove” a bit. (Well, he didn’t say so, anyway.)
The local librarian owned a bed and breakfast, so we stayed there for the night. He gave us background on Athelia, who had moved back to her hometown after the death of her husband fifteen years ago, but obviously never forgot where her beloved Teddy had borrowed his first library books. (I’d wondered about the connection ever since I heard about the bequest, and was thankful Martin hadn’t asked about it when I didn’t have the answer handy. I like to appear as intelligent and well-informed as I can around him. And everyone else, of course.)
We both seemed to be wide awake when the B&B owner was sleepy, so after we discovered the door that connected our two rooms, Martin and I watched TV together to pass the rest of the evening. There were reruns of a sitcom we both enjoy, and during the commercial breaks we mocked ads or chatted about everyday stuff.
I have to admit that I was surprised when Martin began talking about his fiancée – I hadn’t noticed that she didn’t come up in conversation much anymore, or I’d have had a clue that trouble was brewing for the two of them. I got the impression that night that she wasn’t interested in his hobbies and didn’t even try to include herself in things that involved his friends; she wanted their time together to be all about her. Not a very smart gal, if you ask me. Martin’s no saint, but he deserves better treatment than that!
I told him as much, though probably not as eloquently. He got the point, anyway, because he agreed and said he’d have to make sure he talked to her about the subject – maybe she wasn’t aware how she was treating him. For some reason, I didn’t think she was innocent in the matter and I had a bad feeling about their next date…
This movie is playing at our local movie theatre, so we checked it out Sunday evening. One reviewer at IMDB says “Familiar story but still great” and I’d have to say I agree. It isn’t full of twists and turns, and yet that doesn’t mean it’s boring. Each character is believable and I enjoyed their journeys. And according to another reviewer, it’s fairly accurate in its representation of the US Coast Guard. 
