Now begins a series of shorts that are written in Sadie's Point of view. Not particularly important to the story line, though. The next "real" chapter comes after 5.9. Sorry, busy with exams for the time being. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 5.1
Sadie's contemplation
Sadie watched as Spencer took the elevator. The moment he'd stepped in, she shut the door quietly and locked it. She turned and looked at the large bay window and made her way to the universal remote. With the press of a few buttons, she was able to dim the lights of the room, as well as shut the drapes of the window.
Then, with only the dim blue glow of the glow strip along the corridor, Sadie went to the study, which Nolan had converted into a bedroom for her, with a comfy bed he'd bought soon after she'd arrived. A part of her wondered if he had hoped for her to stay in the States. Sadie sat down on the armchair, staring down at the book she'd received that evening. The Alchemist was one of her favourite books, obviously. She hadn't expected anything from Spencer, although now, she wondered if she ought to return the favour. Skimming through the pages, Sadie found the chapter she had enjoyed the most: where the boy transforms himself into the wind. She read the chapter, enjoying it as much as had the first time she'd read it. It brought a smile to her face that something as small as a book could have such an effect on her. Then, she looked up at the picture she'd placed on the side-table.
A picture of Nolan and her during her therapy days back in Ireland. She looked terrible, of course, much like a feral child she'd been called. But, Nolan looked as proud, as brilliant and as kind as he always was in real life. It soothed her, having him look at her like that, even if it was only through the picture frame. Somehow, finishing the chapter made her feel better. As if her life, that had been put on pause after Nolan's death, had finally started moving forward.
Putting the book down, Sadie stood and picked up the copy of Nine Stories that was on her bed. She let out a breath as she sat back down and opened For Esme, with Love and Squalor, the chapter she'd stopped at abruptly when she'd been informed of her brother's untimely death. Sighing again, rather loudly, Sadie read the chapter and the next, and then, when she'd finished, she closed the book, thought of Nolan's proud smile when he saw she'd finished the book he'd given her and felt her heart slow down and relax. Her eyes rested again on Nolan's picture and she smiled at it.
"I'm done, brother" she said, speaking softly.
Then, she stood and after seven months, put the book back on the shelf. Then, Sadie looked at the new copy of The Alchemist and picked it up, smelling the scent of machinery oil and printing ink again, as she made her way back to the laZboy that was her temporary bed, sat down and pulling the blanket on top of her, reclined and fell asleep, one hand clutching the stuffed rabbit, as if for dear life, the other holding the book, now closed.
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