Eidolon Ave: The Second Feast
Pulling a crumpled tissue from his sleeve, he dragged it along his upper lip.
“I see.” She turned, glancing again at the crowded shelves. “So, all used, then?”
He nodded, then coughed. “Yes, nothing but used books,” he said, catching his breath as he struggled to unwrap a lozenge. “Interesting books.”
The cough returned, the cherry cough drop still trembling between finger and thumb. The disquieting racket of an old man hacking up a lungful of phlegm filled the room.
Although she wanted to leave, she turned. Continued. Wandered deeper into this dark forest of forgotten words. Away from the hacking oldster near the exit blowing the snot out his nose while rain pelted the sidewalk outside.
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