The book caught my eye as I was sifting through the vinyl record bin. I had been standing there for a while slowly looking at the titles, huffing the musky smell that the vinyls were emitting as I moved each one to the side. It was a picture book about ocean life. I could tell from afar because of the bold letters that said “Fish and Shellfish.” It was one of those tall, hardback “encyclopedias” that most everyone had in their elementary school library. It towered over top of the other books around it. I focused my eyes on the book to the point where everything near it was a blur.

The fish on the cover started to gradually move in an up and down motion. Almost as if they were swimming. I took one last sniff and nonchalantly walked over to the book. The creatures continued to calmy swim across the cover. I reached over and gently put my fingers on the book’s spine. The hard backing was rough from being heavily used over the years. I began to feel what can only be described as a heartbeat. I tightly wrapped my fingers around its spine and began to pull the book forward. But just as it was about to come off of the shelf, the thumping stopped. I quickly pushed the book back into place.

I took a step back and refocused my eyes. Grey squiggles ran across my view. Before I could even process it the fish stopped swimming. My head started to feel light, almost as if I was high. I continued to step back until I reached the bookstore’s front door.

Just as I was about to open the door the owner peeped from behind the register and waved goodbye. I waved back and made my way outside. The old bookstore had always been my escape, but today it felt different, almost magical.