The best man

Chapter 5 : Book club

It was my first day attending the book club at the library, and I felt a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves as I stepped through the large wooden doors. The comforting smell of old books and polished shelves wrapped around me like a familiar embrace. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of anticipation and curiosity settle in.

As I looked around, I noticed a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces gathered in the cozy space, chairs arranged in a circle near the fiction section. My eyes quickly caught sight of Mr. Jenkins, standing near the back, engaged in a deep conversation with Ethan. I am happy to see him. his presence always so calming. Mr. Jenkins had his hand on Ethan's shoulder, wearing that big, warm smile that made me feel instantly at ease.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was heartwarming to see him back. He seem very close to Ethan and now that I'm focusing on both of them. They have some trait. Like Ethan is a younger version of mr.Jenkins . As I adjusted the strap of my small crossbody bag, I took a few steps closer, my faded blue Levi's swishing slightly with each movement.

"Hey, everyone!" I called out, offering polite waves to some familiar faces as I approached.

"Lily!" Mr. Jenkins exclaimed, his eyes lighting up when he spotted me. "I'm glad you could make it! It's nice to see a friendly face."

"Thanks! I wouldn't miss it," I replied, feeling my nerves settle a bit.

Ethan turned to me, his smile warm and welcoming. "Hey, book worm! Ready for your first book club meeting?"

Before I could respond, Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat, looking a bit more serious facing everyone. "I wanted to let you all know," he began, glancing at Ethan before continuing, "that I'll be taking a break from working soon. I'm getting older and feeling a bit tired, and it's time for me to step back."

My heart sank for a moment. I had always admired Mr. Jenkins's dedication to the library, and the thought of him stepping away felt bittersweet. "Oh, I'm going to miss him" I thought to myself.

He chuckled softly, waving a hand. "I'm not disappearing entirely! Ethan, my son, will be stepping in for me until we find someone else."

Ethan is Mr. Jenkins's son? Mr. Jenkins had a son? I felt a rush of surprise mixed with intrigue as I processed this new information. It made sense now, the way they interacted, the shared ease between them.

Looking at Ethan, I noticed the slight resemblance in their features like I thought previously—the way his smile mirrored his father's, warm and genuine. But there was something distinctly different about Ethan; his calm demeanor and thoughtful nature set him apart in a way that intrigued me even more. I felt a flicker of curiosity about their relationship, the dynamic that came from being father and son.

"Wow,  you are Mr. Jenkins's son," I said, my voice slightly incredulous. "You both seem so different, yet... alike in a way."

Ethan shrugged, a modest smile playing on his lips. "I guess we have our similarities," he replied. "But we're definitely our own people too."

It was fascinating to learn this new layer about mr. Jenkins. I couldn't help but wonder how his relationship with his son influenced him, how their shared experiences shaped his character. I found myself wanting to know more about both of them, the bond they shared, and how it might impact my future budding friendship with Ethan.

The night felt like it was opening up new possibilities, not just for the book club but for understanding Ethan in a deeper way.

Ethan's gaze met mine, and I could see a mix of pride and responsibility in his expression. "I'll do my best to keep everything running smoothly," he said, his tone reassuring.

"Good luck!"I said, still trying to process the news. "That's a big responsibility."

Ethan shrugged slightly, a humble smile on his face. "Yeah, it is. But I'm looking forward to it. Just trying to help my dad out."

As the conversation continued, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Mr. Jenkins's departure was a change I hadn't anticipated. The night promised to be an interesting one, and I was ready to dive into the discussions ahead.