Royalty Check For Libby:

It was a beautiful day in Brighton. At Book Marks The Spot, Libby and her mother Leah were sorting out books alphabetically on the shelves. Soon, a mailman came inside the bookstore...

Leah: Hello, there. What can I do for you?

Mailman: Actually, I'm here to see Libby Stein-Torres.

Libby: (raises her hand) That's me! What is it, good sir?

Mailman: You've received a letter from a recent new book company.

Libby was confused, 'What book company?' She asked. The mailman looked at the letter, and said, 'Tamargo Books.'

Libby: I haven't heard of it, but I'll see what this letter is.

Libby took the letter, and then she and Leah wondered what it could be...

Libby: Why would Tamargo Books mail me a letter? I haven't subscribed to anything there.

Leah: Let's find out, sweetie.

Libby carefully opened the letter very slowly, then Leah took the paper, and took something else important from it...

Leah: (in shock) Libby... I think you need to see this.

Libby turned to Leah, who was holding a check...

Libby: Whoa... is that...?

Leah nodded, then gave Libby the check, who looked at it. When she saw how much it was, her eyes went wide...

Libby: $10,000?! How could I make that much if Tamargo Books is just getting started?!

Leah had the letter, which she had already read, with a frown on her face, 'I think this explains why.' Libby took the letter, then read it...

'To my daughter Libby, I've sent your book that you've written, 'Turtle Riders of Knell' to a recently new book company, 'Tamargo Books'. I explain to the publishers there that I had a great daughter who had written her own book, and they were happy to have your book be their first published one. Depending on how much money this makes, you'll receive a royalty check on occasion. I got the company to put this note in here, if it is successful. This would be your first check. Keep reading, keep dreaming, M-T.' (Matias Torres)

Libby was stunned, because when she first met her father for the first time in 6 years, it apparently didn't work out well, and she had left her own written book behind with him in disappointment. However, he secretly believed that she could be successful as an author, to try publishing her book at a new company. Libby then brightened up a bit, 'Did Dad really feel like I have potential as an author?'

When Leah saw that the check looked real, she didn't believe it...

Leah: I think we better go to the bank, and find out if this is a real check. It could very well be fake.

Libby: Well... alright.

Leah and Libby got into their car, then Leah drove all the way to the city bank. They got inside, where they had to wait in line for a while, because of several people in front of them. Soon, they reached the front of the line, and Leah spoke to the bank teller...

Leah: Hello, there. My daughter received this check in the mail. It's from a new book company that opened recently. Could you find out if this is a real check or not?

Teller: Alright, we'll look at it.

Leah and Libby sat down in the waiting room, and waited for the results. After several minutes of waiting, the teller called them back. They went to the front, and saw that the teller had a smile on his face...

Teller: This is a real, legitimate check. Your daughter had really received money.

Leah, and especially Libby, had their jaws drop open in shock, because Libby Stein-Torres got paid for a published book that she wrote. As soon as they got themselves back into reality, Leah asked the teller, 'Could you please put that check in our bank account, please?'

The teller nodded, then he took the check from her. After a few minutes, the teller told Libby and Leah that the check went through. When the Stein-Torres family left the bank, got back in their car, and drive home, a talk happened...

Libby: So, Mom, since Dad turned my book to a new publishing company, and kept my name on it, is there a chance he may be a family with us again someday?

Leah: (shakes her head) I doubt it, sweetie. He may have just had your book published with your name on it because deep down, he knew it was the right thing to do, or he did so those fans of him would know he had a child who followed it his footsteps.

When they got back to their bookstore, they got out of their car, back inside to return to sorting their books. Libby, however, thought of the face that while her father might not have shown it at the time, he was proud of her work, and maybe someday, they may be a chance he could return to be a family with her and Leah again.