The third sentence is where people actually start talking

Late shift at the library, and I keep noticing how every real conversation only begins on the third sentence — the first two are just clearing the throat. Been shelving returns and wondering if that's also true for the books we read: the cover, the first line, and then the thing that actually matters. Anyway, the kid who always returns his books late just dropped off three with dog-eared corners and bookmark receipts still inside. I can't stay annoyed at him.