Jane

My mom called this morning and told me that she and my dad would be home Sunday night. She reminded me I had to be at the library early; as if I could forget. The class didn't start until eight, but I had to set up the tables, whiteboard, pencils, and my mom's personal touch, coffee, and donuts.

I drove to a local donut shop and asked for almost three dozen donuts so there was enough for everyone. I arrived at 7:05 to the empty parking lot and almost choked on my sprinkled donut. There, sitting on the bench by the entrance, was Harry.

He wore yet again a long sleeve shirt and a pair of dark jeans. I parked and got out waving to him. "You actually came," I said surprised.

"I keep my word, I owe you one remember." He stood up and waited for me. I pulled out one of the boxes of donuts and he immediately walked over to help me. "Here I'll take them," I told him to follow me towards the entrance where I opened it with my keys so he could walk in behind me.

"You can put them down on the counter." I took off my sweater and took out my computer. He stood there looking around at all the frames we had put up of the local kids with reading awards. He moved on then to look at the picture of my parents, siblings, and me when they first re-opened the library almost twenty years ago. "My family and I," I stated.

He nodded looking at the photo. "Which one is you, the little one?" I nodded. "How old were you then?"

"I was two, that was in 98' I was about to be three." I did the math quickly. "We had moved from Chicago, I was the only one who didn't grow up there so I don't really remember living there." I talked and he listened carefully leaning on the counter.

"You like it here?" He asked. "Working in the library, I mean."

I sat back in my chair and thought about it. My parents started letting me work here when I turned fifteen. I come here all the time. "Guess I'm used to it," I said. "But yeah, I do like it."

He smiled and looked over to where the tables where. "So what do you need help with first?" I connected my music to the Bluetooth speakers around the library and played a piano version of free-fallin'. It played quietly through the library so it wouldn't be deadly silent.

"Okay, first we need to fix four tables over on the other side of that area by the Windows." I walked and he followed while we opened the blinds to the windows that showed off the view of the street.

I explained to him how I wanted them while I moved the chairs to the side so he could help me move the heavy tables. With one quick shove, he pushed the table to their spot. He did the rest by himself and then began placing the chairs into place "Is this okay?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna get the whiteboard from the supply closet." I walked over to the closet and unlocked it pulling out the giant whiteboard they use. As I walked out Harry had placed the last chair in its place and helped me pull in the board.

"Hey Jane, are people allowed in here while the class is going on?" He walked behind me towards the front desk.

"Yeah not many people show up, but we're open until two on Saturdays." I picked up the donuts signaling him to grab the rest which he did. "Why do you ask?"

"Well I have an assignment due for English and I don't have a computer to type." We set everything down and I went back to my desk to pull out a library card form.

"Here fill this out and I can give you your own account so if you need something you can use it." He took it filling it out on the counter. A knock was heard at the entrance and I made my way over to open it. Outside stood Zachary, the teacher for the English learning students.

Zachary was a tall African American man who spoke four different languages and had the most uplifting spirit that could make any person feel better. "Zachary, good morning I set everything up for you already." I let him know as I unlocked the door so no one would have to knock anymore.

"Thank you, sweet girl, how are your parents?" He asked.

"Great, they'll be home tomorrow." We talked as we walked over to the main desk. I looked around and saw Harry sitting finishing his application for a library card. "Coffee?" I asked him.

"Oh yes please." He looked over and noticed Harry. "Who's your friend?"

"Friend from school, he's helping me set up." Zachary made a face hinting something at me. "It's not like that," I warned him.

Harry walked back over and handed me the paper. "Hello, I'm Harry." He shook his hand.

"Zachary, nice to meet you." I walked towards the back where we kept snacks and pulled out coffee cups, our coffee machine, and the giant can of coffee grounds. I could hear them talking to each other and I smiled when I heard Harry laugh.

I walked back to where they stood to talk and Harry noticed my hands were full. "Excuse me, let me help you." He grabbed everything and took it to where the donuts were. I went to grab the gallon of water for the coffee, but once again he picked it up from me.

After I made the coffee Harry said he would get his backpack from his bike and he would be back. I handed Zachary his coffee and he gave me a look. "What?"

"Either that boy is too nice, or he likes you." He sipped his coffee.

People entered the class one by one and I shook my head at him. "We just met, and he's not from around here. He's probably trying to make a friend."

"Or a girlfriend." He teased.

I ignored him. "I'll be over here if you need me." I walked over to my desk.

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I set up Harry's account and showed him the basics on one of the computers and how to sign in. "Do you have a USB memory?" He shook his head.

"Uh, I think at home." He thought to himself.

"You can borrow mine if you want?" I offered.

"Please?" I grabbed the extra one that I had just cleared out and gave it to him. I excused myself to go get a donut and a cup of coffee. The class had started so I went to my desk to lower the music that played around the library. A piano version of 'Beast of Burden' by the Rolling Stones played quietly.

I began my daily routine of taking an empty cart outside to the late drop-off, filling up the cart to put back into the system and back on the shelves.

I rolled it back in getting to work checking them off one by one and checking if any of the books were requested by anyone else. I ate my donut while I worked and occasionally looked over at Harry.

Harry sat at the computer typing away, concentrated on his work. Around eleven the class ended and a few people had entered to use the internet and check out some books. I went through each section straightening everything up and then returned to finish up some homework while I had time.

My stomach grumbled around noon and I became annoyed I didn't bring lunch. I decided to eat some crackers I had saved in our snack area and I had already had about six cups of water. I sighed writing a note for myself that we needed better snacks.

"Are you hungry?" I dropped my pencil as Harry stood there looking over at me. "I just finished my essay and I'm starving."

"I still have like an hour until we close I can't just leave there are a few people in here." I put my hair up into a bun and sat back in my chair. "Are you leaving?"

"Well, if you want I'll bring you something if you don't mind."

"That's really nice of you, but you don't have to do that." He fixed his backpack on his shoulders and seemed disappointed. "Can I ask you something?" I thought back to what Zachary said.

"Sure."

"Why did you give me that picture you drew?" He chuckled and stood there quiet for a moment.

"I've been in California for a short time. I've met people, but no person here or in England for that matter has ever been as kind as you have been to me. You don't see my tattoos and you don't see me as this bad person. That's not the type of person I am anymore. I gave you that picture because I like the type of person you are. You don't judge a book by its cover, no pun intended." He chuckled looking around.

"We've only met a few days ago," I stated. "Is that enough time for you to know what kind of person I am?"

"No, but if you let me be your friend, I'll figure it out." He smirked. "Now, would you like to go get something to eat? I'm willing to wait thirty-six minutes until you close." I giggled

"If you want you can bring something and we can eat outside in the picnic area. I'll try to clear everyone out." He agreed, asking me what I wanted.

When he left I announced that we would be closing soon, luckily the few people there understood and one by one they left. I cleared everything, putting my almost finished work into my bag and taking it out to my car. I grabbed my keys and at exactly two on the dot I checked the bathrooms, shut the lights and locked up for the day.

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Thanks for reading.

-k