The Book Club Joke

Elsie loves her Tuesday book club. Ten people meet at the library every week. Corin always brings snacks for everyone.

Last week, the group read a mystery novel. Elsie shared her guess about the ending. Corin laughed and said, "That guess is wild!"

Elsie felt small and a little hurt. She thought Corin laughed at her idea. She left the meeting early, without a word.

For the next meeting, Elsie stayed home. She told herself she needed a rest. Really, she did not want to see Corin.

Corin noticed her empty chair right away. He sent her a short message. "We missed you tonight. Is everything okay?"

Elsie wrote back. She explained her hurt feelings. She pressed send fast.

Corin called her back within minutes. "I laughed at the twist, not at you," he said. "Your guess was close to the real ending!"

Elsie read his words twice. She understood the joke now. It was never about her at all.

The next Tuesday, Elsie walked back into the library. Corin saved her a seat near the snacks. He handed her a cookie without a word.

"New book, new guesses," he said with a grin. Elsie opened the book and smiled. "Let's see who gets it right this time."

After that day, Elsie and Corin became good friends. They texted about books between meetings. Elsie shared every guess without fear now.

The group later picked a new mystery novel. Corin saved her a seat again. Elsie brought snacks this time, too.