The Legend of James Grey by Jennifer Moorman

Author:Jennifer Moorman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary women, magical realism, library, jennifer moorman, southern
Publisher: Jennifer Moorman
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

At 6:30 sharp, Emma had the Friday night book club attendees settled into their usual space on the first floor, sandwiched between the biographies and the reference books with their chairs in a horseshoe shape. James stood beside the circulation desk, flipping through a shiny trifold pamphlet. She recognized it as one of the college brochures Morty had gotten for her. James glanced up when he heard her approach.

“Yours?” he asked.

Emma groaned. “Morty’s dead-set on getting me to go back to college. I don’t see the point, and I’m not interested.”

“I wanted to study medicine,” James said, putting the brochure on the counter.

“I know,” Emma said, remembering what one of the Battle of the Bulge survivors from James’ unit had told the biographer. “Danny Lundsford said you were brilliant, could have been a successful surgeon. He said you loved talking about science and medicine and how you were always looking out for the guys.”

James didn’t respond for a few seconds, and Emma shifted on her feet.

“Is this how you felt when I recalled to you what you and Bobby had done growing up? A not quite uncomfortable but still a peculiar feeling that someone knows about your personal life but shouldn’t?”

Emma nodded. “It’s probably a comparable feeling.” She glanced at her feet. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve—well, to say I’ve read your bio isn’t exactly true. It’s probably more accurate to say I’ve memorized it. I guess that is a little weird.” She laughed nervously. “Makes me sound like a stalker.”

James chuckled. “I’ve been watching you for twenty years. I’m not sure you have the lead on me when it comes to stalking.”

When he smiled at Emma, she burst out laughing, which released a tightly wound knot in her chest. Her laughter echoed strangely—but familiar—in her ears, like a long-lost friend who had finally returned. She pressed her hands to her chest as more flowed out of her. The reappearance of her laughter felt delightful. James looked at her like she was the most interesting sight he’d ever seen, and she warmed beneath his gaze.

“While we’re on the subject of stalker knowledge,” he said, “I know you have a deep love for pizza. Want to order delivery?”

“You eat?”

James laughed. “I’m not a ghost, Emma. I’m a real man with needs.”

Emma’s eyebrows rose, and laughter rushed out of her again. James’ cheeks reddened, and he cleared his throat.

“I meant physical needs like hunger,” he said.

Emma’s giggles continued. A carefree feeling rose up in her, easy and comfortable, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that way. “Sure you did.” She pulled out her cell phone and searched for the number for the local pizza place. “According to your physical needs, you want pepperoni or supreme? That wasn’t in your bio.”

Half an hour later, Emma placed her third piece of pepperoni pizza onto a paper towel. Then she slid the half-empty pizza box back toward James. He wiped his mouth and grabbed for another slice. They drank Coke out of two mismatched plastic cups she’d found in the kitchenette cabinets.

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