Imperfect Strangers

Smokey Saga #70: "Imperfect Strangers"

*****

Here we go, big seven-oh! Here's another story in the vein of good ol' "Lost And Found," also with a little "Millicent's" thrown in here, a little "Special Deliveries" tossed in there. If you know my stuff, you know I don't get into the sex right away, and this is no exception. This will actually be one of my most family-friendly ones until the intimate portions. Feel free to skim or skip if non-sex scenes don't interest you. Hope you like it, and as always, feedback's welcomed, valued and appreciated. ¡¡Feliz navidad y año nuevo, todos!!

*****

Aquí está la biblio-meca

Tuesday, November 1st, 2016, 3:58 p.m.

It was a cold, windy All Saints' Day. Leaves turned brittle and orange, collecting to crunch beneath pedestrians' feet. The scents of pumpkin and cinnamon were heavy in the air. Halloween costumes and decorations dropped half-price at fine retailers the city over. The Vikings had their fans riveted with football season in full swing. The Gregorian calendarial world turned over another page. Shorts, tanks and flip-flops were officially retired until spring 2017.

Business as usual went on at the Juniper Library. A beloved fixture in the Juniperites' fair city, it was founded in the early 1900s and had undergone scads of innovations since. The city paid its dues and laborers. While no Library of Congress, Juniper's premier literary loaner was much to write home about nonetheless. To say nothing of the size, selection, staff and other 's'-ential resources, customers were treated to one more lovely aiding device: a series of electronic directories. These beauties offered maps for navigation, and their own search engine for titles, authors and recommendations. The library was large enough to get lost in, so with a directory always nearby, patrons had easy access to the desired destination, be it a lookup to a book, computers, restrooms, or checkout.

The first flock of employees opened the building at 10:00 weekday mornings, joined by more co-workers throughout the day. Noon kicked off today's shift for factotum Laura McCollum, a genial early-30s blonde-lighted brunette who performed all sorts of tasks. The miscellany on her work plate consisted of sorting shelves, helping and checking out customers, tending to computer malfunctions, contributing to the newsletter, tacking up posters and placards, and so forth. She'd had little experience when applying four years ago, but won the staff over with her charm, social skills and varied talents.

"Hi, Gary!" she softly greeted Gary Brickman, one of the customer service members. "What's up?"

"Hey Laur, how're you doing?"

"Delightful and de-lovely, thank you. How was your Halloween?"

"Not too bad. Someone gave us an extra bag of candy, so the kids made out like bandits."

"Sweet. Literally. Yeah, I don't think I got too many trick-or-treaters the last few years, but this time it seemed to pick up a little."

"Neither'd we. Y'know what occurred to me though? About a decade ago, we got a whole lot of kids. And I guess some of 'em grew up. But besides, that was about when they changed Daylight Savings Time. It used to end in October. So ten years ago on Halloween, the clocks were already set back, and it got dark an hour earlier. And of course, no one trick-or-treats in broad daylight."

"Oh, wow...y'know, that's really interesting! I never thought of that."

"Yeah, you know what else is interesting? That used to make October technically the longest month of the year, with thirty-one days plus that one extra hour. But not anymore, since they moved it to November. Personally, I kinda preferred it the old way."

"I guess I never gave it that much thought. I'm just glad I got ten visits. So on average, I probably saw thirty kids. Did you dress up?"

"Nah, couldn't find anything I liked enough this time."

"Aw, I'm sorry. I was a zombie bride. Gave out candy, then scared everyone away. I'm still getting makeup out of my stubborn spots."

Laura worked full-time, her schedule varying one week to the next. The library was open twelve hours on weekdays, eight on Saturdays, and closed Sundays. So sometimes Laura worked four ten-hour days, other times five eights. But she was always granted one hour-long meal break, and occasional overtime. Had Laura her way, she'd stay at the library day and night. She'd get her mail there. She'd bring pillows and a sleeping bag. Alas, she wasn't permitted to work past her set shift.

Tuesdays were her favorite day, as these were the days the group readings for children took place. Each week a book was chosen, and kids and their parents were invited to the rec room starting at 4:00 to sit and be read to. The staff members usually took turns week to week. But should anyone not feel up to reading, Laura was always happy to jump in and take over. These were her most preferred moments spent at work. She considered this a true privilege, and really got into it. She wore her bedazzled cone-shaped princess hat—sometimes angel wings, depending on how whimsical she felt—and did her best to make the story come to glowing life. If it were up to her, she'd have light music playing in the background just to make it all even more vivid.

In the rec room, there was a pull-down screen behind the story chair. Most of what they read kids were picture books, so they scanned the pages into a computer beforehand, and displayed them on the screen so the kids could see the images and read along. Normally a fellow staff member took care of this, while the first read. Today was Laura's normal turn in the rotation—i.e., she didn't have to substitute for anyone. She donned her veiled princess cap, slipped on her wings and eyeglasses, and pranced into the rec room with AV associate Tabby Weeks, who'd be assisting her. They shut the door, and Laura raised her voice to normal volume.

"Hi, everybody!" she greeted with a curtsy. She held the book in one hand and gave a flourish with the other. The kids laughed at her funny outfit. Laura gave them a few twirls, letting them thoroughly enjoy, and perched in the story chair. These really were some of the moments she lived for. The others were impressed how gung-ho this activity kept her week after week, and certainly glad to have her around for it. Sometimes the big kids tried to make it tough for the readers by "heckling" them, or interrupting the story. But unless they were amazingly persistent, Laura didn't let them faze her. She just kept the story going, which was her job.

"Well, welcome, guys!" she called out. "How were your Halloweens? You all get lots of good stuff?"

Laura loved holidays. Whether asked to work or not, she made the most of each. On Valentine's Days she wore a heart-speckled sweater and brought her workmates—what else—valentines. On the days before Easter she put on a bunny face and handed out Cadbury Creme Eggs. On April Fool's Days, she left them alone. Practical jokes could be fun, but not so much in the workplace—particularly one of the quietest workplaces in which she could earn a living. Then of course she bought cards for the Mothers and the Fathers on their Days.

On other holidays when less necessary to give something, she merely dressed in the appropriate colors. Yesterday she was off work. So on Saturday she was decked in orange and black. There was really no need to give her co-workers candy when they'd already bought bags full. But giving was all part of Laura McCollum's nature. She was a good Samaritan. She tried to help people, donate to charities and volunteer whenever possible. Cliché though it was, she once assisted an elderly individual across the street. And while on a different scale, she considered reading to children along the same lines. She held up today's book to show them.

"Exciting news," she announced. "We're starting a new series. This is Sammy the Squirrel. Today we'll be reading his first adventure, Sammy the Squirrel Goes to School." Tabby displayed the cover on the screen as well. "Now, I know some of you may have read this, or the other Sammy books before. So if you know what happens, please be respectful of the others in the room, and don't spoil the ending. And we'll all enjoy the story together. Okay! Ready??"

The audience replied affirmatively, so she and Tabby began. As she read, about thirty kids—probably not the thirty who came to her door last night, though who knew—and their parents sat or lay on blankets spread across the floor. Laura always put a lot of soul and emotion into the reading, while amusing herself on the inside with more realistic thoughts. Like the fact that if a squirrel popped up in a (human) school, there'd be a great deal of commotion. She looked up to visually address kids one by one as she went on. Sometimes she giggled through a funny sentence. Sometimes she had to pause for a big belly laugh, which made the audience laugh in turn.

Depending on the length of a book, things changed a little. If it took more than an hour, the crowd was normally given a short intermission to get up, stretch, go to the bathroom, what had they. The librarians did best to pace themselves, to bring story time to a good approximate hour, hour and a half, or longer. Each reader had her or his own style, and some liked to engage in a follow-up. Sometimes the kiddos shared what they liked about it, or there'd be a little Q and A. The most asked question, especially in series books, was "What happens next?" To which the librarians replied, "Well, if you wanna know right away, we can find you a copy of the next book, and you can check it out, literally and figuratively. You're also welcome to come back next week and see. Or both!"

Sammy the Squirrel Goes to School took roughly an hour. Had Laura read at a normal pace without any pauses, it would've been forty-five minutes. If chosen books in a series were particularly short—and they had the pages ready in the computer—sometimes they read two. But one Sammy book would suffice tonight. Kids eventually got restless, and Laura knew they were eager to get back home.

"...And as Sammy the Squirrel and his new friend Rory the Raccoon left to go home for the day, Sammy thought about all the wonderful and interesting things he'd learned at school. He could hardly wait for tomorrow to go back and learn even more." Bit of an idealizing stretch, but okay, Laura facetiously thought. Glorifying education was, after all, one of the things children's books were all about. "When his Mommy and Daddy asked him about his first day, Sammy had lots and lots to tell them. After supper that night, he lay in bed, excitedly waiting to fall asleep so he could begin his second day of school. The end."

The parents and a few of the kids applauded. Laura asked them what they thought of the story, kicking off their post-reading discussion.

"Do you guys like school?" she asked.

"I hate homework!" someone exclaimed.

"Oh, homework; boooooo!" Laura agreed with an emphatic thumbs-down. Actually, homework was useful, but it wasn't her job to tell them that. When she had her own kids, they could hate her guts.

So at about 5:20, the audience departed, and for Laura and Tabby, it was back to work. Laura took her outfit to the storage closet, and then a cart of returned books to put back on their shelves.

"Excuse me."

Someone was addressing her from behind. Laura turned and widened her eyes at what she saw. An astonishingly beautiful young woman, not far from her own age, stood face to face with her. She was so striking, Laura had to take a second to retrieve her response.

"...Oh, uh, hi there!...Yes?"

"I just wanted to tell you I really liked your cuento."

Laura stared blankly a moment.

"The story you read," her visitor clarified.

"...Oh, you...mean Sammy the Squirrel?"

"Sí, that's the one."

How strange. If a lady this breathtaking was in the room, Laura liked to think she would've noticed her. Then again, maybe it was better she hadn't. She might've had trouble concentrating on the story.

"Oh! Well, fantastic. I hope your little boy or girl did too."

"Oh, no, no," the lady waved her off. "I don't have no niños. Just me."

Laura's eyebrows arched. The woman was clearly no child herself.

"Really? Er...es...¿verdad?"

"Mm-hm."

"Oh, so you...joined us for story time, like, just...on your own? Not-not that there's anything wrong with that." Actually, in its own funny way, it's a little charming.

"Well, I always wanted someone to read me stories when I was little," her new Hispanic acquaintance explained. "But my parents were súper-busy. And they wanted us to read ourselves in school."

"Aw, that's too bad. Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but you can come to as many of our readings as you like. Every Tuesday at 4:00."

"Sí, lo se. I just started coming to the biblioteca recently."

"Oh, cool. That's terrific. Well, please don't hesitate to ask if I can help you with anything, Señor...ita?"

"Bonita, por favor. Bonita Ortega."

Laura smiled and took her paw for another curtsy. "Laura McCollum. Your English is amazing, Bonita." ...Among other things.

"Gracias. ¿Hablas español?"

"Um...just a little. Or...'poco'? Is that right? I took it in high school."

"Indeed, muy bien. So, I was hoping maybe you could help me find a book."

"Well, of course, I'd be glad to! Anything special?"

"Well..." Bonita needed a moment to think. "No really. You see, I'm...I've recently stopped working my job. And, so I have a lot of extra free time now. And one of the things I really wanted to do is catch up on my reading. So I thought what better place than here?"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" said Laura. "W—I-I mean, not that you're not working anymore. But yes, everyone should feel encouraged to read more. So you're looking for...kind of an assortment?"

"¡Sí! That's the word. I wanted some books about things I like...books that are...maybe older, that, you know, you can't find in a store now, 'cause they're...oh, como se dice, um..."

"...Out of print?"

"Yes! Exactly. Gracias."

"Oh, great! What a lovely project!" Laura smiled. "Well, tell ya what: why don't you come with me, and I'll get my laptop. I use it for stuff like this sometimes. Then we can sit down, you can tell me what you're interested in, and we'll see what we can find you!"

*****

Leer es divertido...¿no?

Tuesday, November 1st, 2016, 9:50 p.m.

The day had wound to its end. With ten minutes left to go before close—and tomorrow being another school/work day—the library was all but empty. The remaining staff collected their belongings, including Laura. She had another ten-hour day tomorrow, which was of course great by her, but first she needed some shut-eye. She yawned, returning an empty cart to the book drop. But ambling back, something unexpected caught the corner of her eye.

...Bonita?

The Hispanic girl she'd helped find her books was still sitting here reading. While there was nothing wrong with this, Laura reflexively checked her phone, even though she clearly knew what time it was. She curiously reapproached.

"Bonita?"

Her acquaintance gave a small gasp, looking up from her current book.

"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, I...I didn't mean to scare you, I...

"Bonita...are you okay?"

Her face looked sad. Laura became a bit worried. For all she knew, the girl had been sitting here the whole rest of the day, and might not have moved, except maybe to visit the restroom. Had she even had dinner?

"Oh, I'm...I'm fine. Nunca mejor."

You don't look fine, Laura thought.

"Are you sure?"

"¡Sí!" Bonita said, a bit abruptly. "Yes, of course I am. I'm...I'm-I'm just, eh...I'm just reading a sad part in this book. Sí, that's it."

Laura didn't know if she believed that. But she went ahead and told Bonita what she needed to.

"Okay...well, I'm sorry, but the library's about to close in a few more minutes."

"...I have to leave?"

"Yyyyeah...lo siento, amiga, but I'm afraid so."

"Oh..."

This news seemed to make her even sadder.

"...Bonita, I...I really don't mean to keep prying, but...you sure it's just the book?"

She folded her current page and shut it.

"I just...don't wanna go. I like it here."

Laura smiled. "Well, that makes a lot of us, buddy girl. But y'know, you can come right back tomorrow. We open 10:00 a.m. every day, right on the nose. Well, except Sunday, that is. We're closed Sundays."

Bonita sighed. "...I just...don't really wanna go home right now."

"Well, then don't go home," said Laura. "It may be getting late, but there're still lots of things you can do. I mean, you can go to the movies, you can go to a club, or a bar, you c—oh! Y'know what I like to do when it's late and I can't sleep? I like to go to the Rite Aid or Walmart, or one of those stores that's open all night, and get some fun stuff. Y'know, snacks and goodies and whatnot. It always cheers me up a little, and then when I get home, I'm usually wanting to go back to bed."

Bonita nodded, piling the material Laura'd helped her find. "Yeah...maybe I'll do that."

"'Atta girl. Want me to check your books out?"

"...Sí. Sí, por supuesto."

*****

Tres semanas después...

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016, 5:53 p.m.

Laura found herself thinking about Bonita and their brief encounter more often than she realized over the next three weeks. The truth of the matter was, whatever'd been going on, Laura felt bad for her. Something clearly had her upset that night, but she didn't want to talk about it. And that was fine; Laura knew it was none of her business. Still, she didn't like to see people in grief and not at least try to find out what was going on. She had to admit she was curious. She didn't think she'd recommended her books with melancholy content, but, she didn't even know the girl. Who knew what would set any person's emotions off.

Even so, Laura hadn't felt quite right about how she'd left the situation. She'd thought she handled it fine at first, but...if she was empathetic to a fault, this was it. Anytime she helped someone, she always felt the need to criticize herself just a bit for not helping them better. It really was one of her only flaws, could one even consider it a flaw. If she had to look at it in terms of a drawback, Laura supposed she sometimes placed her nose where it didn't belong.

Yet if this was the issue, could she do anything about it? She didn't think she could stop helping, but she guessed she could back off a little...provided this was what the "helpee" wanted.

The 23rd was the next day they'd meet. It was Wednesday, and so there was no group reading today, but something else unique and special was going on. The staff announced over the speaker system that regular business would be concluded at 6:00 p.m.—it being a holiday eve—but that they would be showing a movie in the rec room, and anyone who wanted to see it was welcome.

"Laura?"

"Oh, Bonita! Hey, ¡hola, chica! How are you?"

"Nunca mejor. I'm here to return my books. I finished them all except this one. Could I renew it?"

"Of course! Sure, this way. Did you like them?"

"I did. Well, kinda except this one here. No lo comprendo. I can't really follow it; it's confusing."

"Huh. Well, maybe we could sit down and discuss it sometime. Hey, y'know what? We're closing early 'cause tomorrow's Thanksgiving, but we're gonna watch a movie in the rec room if you wanna stick around. Pelicula. 'S one of the, uh...palabras I remember."