I sit
on a stiff wooden chair
a pair of glazed eyes staring into a shiny screen
stressing over
everything
at the library
a peaceful place
except for the children who scream
and the tweens who believe they are somehow above me as I sit
stressing over everything

a young girl in a tie-dyed tank top and Lululemon leggings is speaking with the librarian and I think
no
not another one

brat

she runs over to her mother and begs

Mom can we please

please

go to the library on Ocean Park Avenue tomorrow?

the book before this one in this series is there

please?

“Can’t we order it? If we place a hold they can deliver it to this library”

yes we can but the book is there
right
now!
and I can read it sooner it if we drive there tomorrow
please mom

“How about we drive there now?”

Really!?

I place my chin into my hands and wearily smile
There is hope.