Page 54 of The Fall Classic

You get it.

Georgie

I get it.

You underline very carefully, by the way.

Logan Y

You dog-ear very recklessly.

Georgie

I take that as a compliment.

Logan

I’ll allow it.

What did you think of the book when you read it?

Georgie

I thought it was poignant at the time, but I need to read it with some distance from my own loss.

I’m still working out how I feel about the passage you underlined.

Logan

Yeah, I’ve been working on that one for a long time.

I cover my heart with my hand as I pull two shots of espresso.

Georgie

I’m trying to understand your argument about The Giving Tree, too. I can see why you think the Tree overextended herself—obviously, the getting chopped down thing is exhibit A.

Logan

Exhibit A, huh?

Does this mean you have a counterargument?

Georgie

Not my style. :) I want to understand your point of view.

What upsets you about the boy taking from the Tree when the Tree is the one offering?

Logan

Because it says specifically that she wasn’t really happy. She’s so eager to make *him* happy that she keeps offering and giving until she has nothing left. If you really love someone, you don’t make them break themselves into pieces to make you happy.

Georgie

I never considered that it was the giving that made the Tree sad. I thought it was the boy leaving.

Logan