Open Dyslexic by Jack Presby
from MOTHER: a PUNK NOIR Magazine series
Open Dyslexic
by
Jack Presby
She stared at the tablet, not sure what it was. She turned it in her hands then looked up at me.
“What is it Jackie? What does it do?”
“It’s an e-reader mom,” I said, “all the books you’ve ever wanted to read that you never had the time for.”
I powered the machine up. She held it in her hands, and I could see the sadness still in her face.
“Jackie, it’s too much for me.”
“No ma, trust me.”
“It’s not that. It’s my dyslexia. That’s why I stopped reading.”
I looked into her soft, brown eyes. The eyes that have endured a hard life. Eyes that watched a husband leave. Eyes that watched three children grow up. Eyes that watched one of them die way too young.
“We know mom. Missy talked to your doctor. He told her they have a special font… Open dyslexic.”
I opened Charlotte’s Web and handed it to her. I watched her eyes as she read the page. I could see them soften. I could see them grow younger. She lowered the tablet and looked at me. A single tear ran from one of those beautiful eyes.
She smiled.
Bio:
Jack Presby (@jackpresby – X handle) lives in Philadelphia, Pa where he has various careers going. Chef, teacher, actor, writer among his favorites. He can also be found rooting and working for his favorite baseball team, the Phillies. Jack also has an Amazon author page where many of his previously published works can be found.
The sweetest of the bunch.
what a beautiful story.