Chapter Five: Library Crush:

Oh man, it’s been years since I went to the town library. I haven’t been here since… 2006, maybe? I feel old now. Give me a moment.

“You okay?” Jim asked next to me.

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s been so long.”

“Need a moment?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Alright,” he said. We stood in front of those thick wooden doors. I felt like fourteen-year-old me again. I took a breath.

“Ready to do this?” I asked.

“I can’t stay long,” he said.

“That’s fine,” I said. I walked up to the doors and pushed them open. The cool breeze hit me in the face. It’s like I stepped into a time machine. The furniture looked like the same as it did in the 90’s. So many wooden tables and chairs. The curtains hadn’t been opened yet. I closed my eyes and took in the smell.

“I’m home!” I said.

“You going to be okay, dude?” Jimmy asked.

“Shhh,” I said. I let my head fall back as I took in the moment. This was where it all started. I was about five or six. There wasn’t much to do in Wellfleet a the time. It was summer when this happened. Mom took me here on her way to work. She didn’t get time to call up a babysitter at the time. So mom just packed me up into the call and drove off. That turned out to be the best day ever. She couldn’t leave me at the beach because I couldn’t swim. I didn’t mind it. Since then, I fell in love with books and the library.

“Excuse me,” I heard a small voice said. I quickly opened my eyes and came back to reality. A petite woman stood inches away from me. I thought I was staring at an angel. Her blonde braid caught the lights from the ceiling. Her glasses made her face look cute and round. The pink sweater and jeans completed her look. My cheeks felt like they were on fire.

“Uh… hi…” I said. This cutie blinked at me.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Um… uh…” I said.

“He’s here for the summer volunteer program,” Jim spoke up. I quickly nodded.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. The cute woman stared at us at first.

“Right this way,” she said. She walked up to the front desk. I followed behind like a little puppy.

“Hey, what’s your name?” I asked.

“Heather,” she said.

“Heather?” I repeated.

“Yes,” she said. “That is my name.”

“Heather,” I said again.

“Yes,” Heather said. I had to stop myself from saying it again. She probably thinks I am being creepy.

“How many volunteers do you have so far?” I asked instead.

“Two,” Heather said. I made a face.

“That’s it?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she said.

“Oh…” I said. Heather turned and looked at me.

“What do you expect?” she asked. “Most kids are on their phones and tablets these days.” I stood in my tracks, frowning. I just couldn’t. I just couldn’t.

“I can’t accept that,” I said. Heather tilted her.

“You don’t?” she asked. I folded my arms across my chest.

“No,” I said. “No. In fact, I am going to change that. Show me the form to sign up with.”

“It’s right here,” she said. She showed me the paper on the front desk. Both the paper and pen were held down to a clipboard.

“Thank you,” I said. I walked up and picked up the pen. Only two names were on the sheet. Poppy Smalls and Ronald Moore. I didn’t think I’ve heard of those names. I shrugged to myself and wrote down my name in the third slot.

“Nathan?” I heard in front of me. I looked up to see a woman with long dark brown hair mixed with grays coming out of her office. I could recognize those thick, brown-rimmed glasses anywhere. I stood up and smiled.

“Ms. Washburn!” I said.