The Athletic, "A glimpse behind the phenomenon of Jordi Lloret (Part 1/4)" by Alex Stones.
Llibreria de Fantasia, El Raval, Barcelona
We are sitting on makeshift seats of stacks of books near the entrance of Llibreria de Fantasia. Only the stubborn sunlight coming through the doorway illuminates this ancient-looking bookstore.
Heavy coughing interrupts the silent murmur of the neighborhood outside as Señor Garcia returns from behind a particularly large wall of books. As he reaches us, I notice him holding a disintegrating copy of La sombra del viento[1]by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
"So…," Señor Garcia gazed outside through the store exit, "What do you wish to ask?"
I signal to White before continuing, "We know that this store was a very important place for him. That you were.. I mean, you are a very important individual to him. How do you feel seeing Jordi lead Barca to glory?"
Silence settles in response to my question as White and I exchange glances.
"I know you, lady. You have interviewed that rascal before."
I sit up straighter, "Yes, I am Alex."
He has still not removed his gaze from the street outside as the store goes silent again.
"He was a quiet kid, but he was full of wonder.
Every morning, I would hear the patter of his feet several moments before he would run in here.
No greeting, just a wide smile as he held up a raisin bread stolen from his mother's fresh batch. Without a word, the rascal would announce the beginning of a hidden transaction.
He would sit where your assistant is and would read till the sunlight had shifted from that area. Only after that would he put back the book, give me a wide smile, and run off."
For the first time, we spot a grin on Señor Garcia's rugged face.
"Has he always loved reading?" I instinctively asked.
Señor Garcia turns to me for the first time before turning back, "Yes."
"What is in your hand, Señor?"
"This was his favorite book. Since before he could read such a novel, he would have me read it to him. Somehow, out of all the settings of fantasy and adventure he read, this mystery set in Barcelona intrigued him most.
I have never let anyone else touch this book."
He lightly caresses the torn cover of the novel, still looking outside, "We are all vain people. I prefer to believe that, through this book, I had some responsibility in his love for this city and its people."
…
"One last question, Señor Garcia. What would you like to say to Jordi?"
By now, we have gotten used to the customary silence after each question.
"Keep going, Ombreta. You deserve everything." He gets up immediately, putting an end to the conversation.
As we step out of the bookstore, Señor Garcia stops us.
He hands me a khaki pack of books before turning back, "Tell him that we are all proud of him."
[1] The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon!! One of my favourite series of all time. Delightful writing and an amazing atmosphere built into the city of Barcelona.