The Spare Copy

Ages 12-15

Basya lifts the same stack of paper for the third time.

The group's original sheet is not beneath it.

Across the table, Libby waits with a folded duplicate beside her elbow.

"I copied it yesterday," she says.

Basya checks inside her folder. Two blank pages slide out.

The other girls sit down.

"Are we starting?"

Basya puts the folder on her lap.

The original has a wide clean margin. Libby's duplicate has a fold through the middle and a faint line where the copying pencil nearly breaks.

Basya reaches toward the paper stack again.

Then she brings her hand back.

"Can we use yours?"

Libby unfolds it and puts it in the center.

Basya bends toward the faint line. She can read it if she turns the sheet toward the window.

The first girl begins. Libby follows the next line with her pencil.

Basya takes her turn from the creased copy.

At the end, they move the used papers into one pile. Basya lifts the first stack to clear the table.

A white corner appears beneath the heavy folder at its bottom.

She pulls it out.

The original sheet lies flat, with its wide clean margin.

Libby holds out her hand for the duplicate.

Basya places the original beside it.

"Keep yours, too."

Libby folds her copy along its old crease.