Orphaned @neilhimself Book – Fragile Things 1st Edition

Posted by Kate on Monday Oct 5, 2009 Under Life

Two weeks ago…

Pete: You love Neil Gaiman right?

Me: Love is such a subjective word in this case. Would I love to have him read to me in a quiet graveyard by the flickering glow of candlelight while I looked up at the stars? Yes.

Pete: *silence*

Me: You there?

Pete: Uh. Yeah. Um, so like, I found you a first edition Gaiman at a Half Priced Books.

Me: *Squee* First edition Hard cover?

Pete: *Yep*

 

Saturday Night at the ESPN zone:

Pete: Here’s the book I found.

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Me: *Squee* Fragile Things! I haven’t read that book, yet! Thank you!

Pete: So about that unhealthy obsession with graveyards…

(At this point, I thumb through the first pages to see if it’s actually a 1st Ed. )

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And it is! Then, I realized as I was passing through the pages to get the publishing info that I missed something….

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I don’t know why, but I was suddenly filled with a distressing sadness. This book was once given with love to a girl named Rachel. For some reason unknown, the book ended up being resold for half of its value.

 My mind raced with possibilities. Did Rachel pass from this life to the next in some unfortunate accident? Maybe instead of throwing out the book when her parents cleaned out her room, they decided to pass it on for a little chunk of change? Did Rachel and her parents have a falling out? Did she run away from home? Perhaps she eloped with a boy for whom her parents didn’t care? Did Rachel need the money for college or to fund an unwanted pregnancy?

So many unknown paths.

The book was warm as I clutched it in my hands. I’d like to think that it’s because the feelings behind the first giving still resonate within the pages. At least that is what I’m hoping.

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3 Responses to “Orphaned @neilhimself Book – Fragile Things 1st Edition”

  1. octopusgrabbus Says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 11:55 am

    Kate: What genre is this book? It looks pretty interesting.

  2. Jeri Says:
    October 9th, 2009 at 1:25 am

    I have that book! But not nearly as interesting an edition. And yeah, he could read the yellow pages to me by candlelight in a shopping mall and it’d still be tres cool.

  3. Nathan Says:
    October 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am

    I think Papa found out that Mama only got this book because she’d had an illicit affair with Gaiman and in a fit of pique, he banished it from the house.

    Now he’s wondering about all of the autographed Letterman photos.

    Poor bastard.

    P.S. You can tell he’s a really classy guy because only the finest people do things in fits of pique. It’s true!