Of all the things one could have chosen to do that night, Henry Beamis was pretty sure

sitting quietly in a chair, reading was the least offensive.

Yes, he had snuck away and camped out in the living room alone.

On purpose, was it so wrong to want a private moment to leaf through a magazine he'd hidden

from Agnes?

Well, sure he was aware that that didn't sound so great out loud.

But look, it's full of words!

Henry Beamis began spouting off the titles of interest about current events, holding up

the pages to show his wife each one.

War just days away.

Collapse of conference imminent.

He licked his finger and rifled through the pages even faster.

The historic artifacts unearthed in the Yucatan, the Yucatan, where even is that?

Reading, am I right?

Don't you just want to know more?

He said, with wild eyes?

Clearly, Agnes did not.

So Henry caved, promising himself he would read the magazine later.

When he had time, he would do it this time.

He would.

This glanced at the clock and took the situation by the horns.

She swiped the magazine from Henry's hands, tearing a page in the process.

...