It has a barcode on one side.
Longreach Regional Council, it says.
When I flip it over in my palm, it’s as if every Christmas and birthday have come at once.
My first library card.
“Are you trying to make me cry again? Cos it's working.”
She gives real hugs now.
Not just polite pats on the back.
“Now you can stop borrowing mine,” she scoffs.
That smile always gives her away.
She tries to act tough as boots, but she’s really an angel.
“Thank you a million times.”
“You’re welcome a million times. And… there's something I wanna talk to you about.”
Shit.
I knew it was too good to be true.
I’ve always assumed this day would come.
Have I done something wrong?
Has she decided that I’m too much trouble to keep around?
My stomach clenches, heart rate doubling.
Where am I going to live?
“No, no... it's nothing scary, I promise,” she assures me. “It's something good. But I do need your consent. Let's chat about it this arvo.”
???
When the lunch rush has finished and the tables have been cleared, we sit in the corner.
I’m still nervous, but decide to take Beth at her word.
“I mentioned to you the other day that I’d spoken to my sister in law, Amanda? The one who was saintly enough to marry my brother?”
“Yeah, I remember you saying something about that.”
“Well, before she started her candle business, she used to be a social worker.”
“A what?”
“Someone who helps kids and teens who are in tricky situations. Like you.”
My body tenses again at the thought of leaving her.
Is she sending me away?
