“I checked out a book today I think you’d really like,” Nora said. She kissed the top of Mary’s head, surprised when Mary stiffened beside her. “I know how much you love mysteries, so I picked up the Raymond Chandler mystery, Farewell, My Lovely. I thought we could read it to each other at bedtime.”

“I love when you read to me.”

“Well, it shouldn’t always be one-sided. I’d love it if you read to me too.”

Now Mary sat up. “I prefer it the other way around.” She didn’t make eye contact.

“Sweetheart? Why is it that every time I talk about books and reading, you get uncomfortable?”

“I don’t get uncomfortable. Maybe I just prefer the radio, or movies.” She got up and straightened the already-straight picture on the wall.

Nora went to her. “Hey. Look at me.” When Mary did, there was fear in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s not nothing. Talk to me.”

Mary closed her eyes and leaned against her. “You promise you won’t laugh or make fun of me?”

Nora pulled back so she could see her. “Never.”

“There’s something wrong with me.”

“What do you mean?” Alarm bells rang in Nora’s head. “Do you feel all right?”

“I’m fine.” Her face reddened. “It’s just… I can’t read. Well, I mean, I can read, but I’m not any good at it. I can’t make out the words. I don’t know why. I guess I don’t see them the way everybody else does.” She finished in a rush and hung her head.

Nora hugged her close and stroked her hair. “There’s no shame in that, sweetheart. Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I know how important reading is to you. I didn’t want you to think I was stupid or anything.”

“Mary Elizabeth Trask, I would never think you were stupid. How could I?”

“I don’t know.”

Nora could feel her misery. “What if I could help you?”

“You can’t help me. Everything gets jumbled up.”

“Has anyone ever tried to help you?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I’ve always managed to convince teachers to give me an oral test instead.”

“Do you wish you could read well?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t want to read well? I love stories.”

Nora nodded. “Well, I think we ought to find a way to help you.”

“What makes you think you can?”

“We won’t know unless we try, now will we? How about if we set aside an hour two or three times a week to read together?”

“I don’t want to waste your time.”

“Why on earth would you think it would be a waste of time?”

“What if I can’t learn?”

“We’ll find out together. There’s no reason to be embarrassed, Mary, and if anyone ever made you feel that way, shame on them.”