Through the Smoke by Tabatha Stephenson

Author:Tabatha Stephenson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pahoa Paradise

Chapter 18

It turned out a Kindle was a piece of tech that stored books within a cloud in the ether. After you bought your book ‘online’ from the arcane bookstore, it would magically appear on the device for one to read whenever they selected it. I decided that I would indeed love to read my novels using one, though when we went to order them as ‘ebooks’, Terry changed his mind somewhat.

“You can read manga and graphic novels on a Kindle, but it’s much better to have the print versions of those. I can squeeze in a bookcase or two in my home office to house a modest collection of those for you.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am,” he assured me. “Your Kindle will be here in three to seven days. Probably actually three or four days. While you wait, you can use this tablet to read the ebooks we just bought.” He pressed a button at the bottom of the screen. “This is the ‘home’ button. Press that to get here. Now slide your fingers across the screen.” I took it from him and did so. The little coloured boxes changed. “See, there on the second row. Says ‘Kindle’ and shows somebody reading.”

“I see it!”

“Tap it with your finger.”

I did and watched amazed as it enlarged, then displayed rows of book covers. He then showed me how to ’sync’ it and find my new ebooks. It was very exciting. He kept telling me that it wasn’t magic, and while it might not be true magic, it still seemed like it. Books coming at the touch of screen, able to be read just like that, not taking up any physical space.

After that, I went to take my eagerly anticipated shower while he rang our friends in San Diego. I was just shutting off the water when I heard him knock on the bathroom door.

“Put on a swimsuit,” he called through the door. “I’m taking you to the beach.”

I wished myself dry in a hurry, not wanting to waste a moment. Waikiki Beach was legendary, even I knew that. I charmed myself against sunburn and came up with a flattering one piece swimsuit which I wore under a floral print t-shirt and a pair of twill shorts. A pair of comfortable sandals and sunglasses completed the look. I decided to wear my hair loose. If I needed to tie it back, I could discreetly conjure up a hair tie to pull out of the pocket of my shorts.

We didn’t have to drive to the beach as Terry’s condo was only a short walk away. Out on the pavement, I found myself overwhelmed by the crowds and noise. I had known this was a large city and a popular tourist destination, but my imagination had not prepared me for just what that meant. It was well worth it, though. The beach was beautiful and when I tasted my first shave ice on the beach, I was in love. Lunch was from a shrimp truck which sold food right there by the parking lot, next to several picnic tables.

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