It’s under the table near the back.
Past the shelves at eye level. This one sits lower, just inside the edge where things stop being picked up.
You only notice it when you step aside. Half a step back, slightly off line.
Not stacked neatly. More like added to and left.
The top book is off at an angle. The one underneath is thicker, pushing it up on one side. A third is turned so only the pages show.
You bend, but not fully. Just enough to read the spines.
Someone moves behind you. You straighten, then go back down once they pass.
The first book comes away easily. Lighter than it looks. Soft cover, worn corners. It won’t stay open.
You hold it in one hand, press it open somewhere near the middle. There’s a bit of resistance.
You reach for the second one and catch the edge of the table instead. Try again.
This one is tighter in the stack. It slides out slowly, the others shifting as it comes free.
Hardback. Heavier. A thin grey line along the top edge.
You don’t open it.
Someone is near the table now. Not close, but enough.
The first book goes back, not where it was. Flatter.
You hold the hardback a moment longer.
There’s a faint rectangle on the spine where a label used to be.
You turn it once. Then back.
It could go either way.
The stack has shifted. Something thinner is showing underneath now. Darker spine, pressed between two larger ones.
You look at it, then don’t reach.
The hardback goes back into the gap. It doesn’t sit as tight. There’s space around it now.
You stand.
From above, it still looks like a stack under a table.
You move back to the shelves.
It’s still slightly out.
