'Well, I don’t know much about these things. But it seems like a public archive is a good way to let people remember Athena. She was so brilliant - well, you know that, her mind worked in such fascinating ways. I’m sure some literary scholars might be interested in doing a study. Athena would like that. She was always so thrilled when academics wrote about her work; she said it was better validation than the … the adoration of the masses. Her words. Anyhow, it's not like I'm doing anything important with them.' She nods to the corner. I follow her gaze, and my breath catches. The notebooks are right there, piled unceremoniously together in a big cardboard box, shelved beneath a large bag of rice and what looks like a smooth, unstriped watermelon.
Wild fantasies flood my mind. I could grab them and run out, be halfway down the block before Mrs. Liu realizes what's happening. I could douse this whole place in oil while she's out and burn them, and no one would be any wiser.

'Have you read what's in them?' I ask cautiously. Mrs. Liu sighs again. 'No, I've thought about it, but I … it’s very painful.'