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“Nice to meet you, Jamie.” Amy has one of those beautiful voices that could probably calm a charging grizzly bear. She holds out a hand, which Jamie shakes.
“I’ll be right back, you two talk.” Well, that wasn’t the most subtle approach, but I still make my escape. I pause by the reference desk, considering if I should go to my office and wait for Amy to let me know they’re done talking, or if I should hover here.
There’s not much time to decide because a moment later Jaimie charges out from between a set of bookshelves, scowl carved deep onto his face. He’s on his way out, and a spurt of panic has me following.
“Jamie! Jamie, wait!” I run after him, trying to keep up with his long-legged stride. Luckily, he pauses just outside the library front doors, brought up by the heavy rain coming down. I silently thank the weather for stopping him, even if I hate that this might be what he has to sleep in tonight.
But that’s the problem. I don’t know.
“Jamie. I’m sorry. Please, just give me a minute.”
From his profile, I can see his jaw clench, but he doesn’t plunge into the downpour. As I try to figure out exactly what went wrong, he growls, “I don’t need charity.”
Damn. There’s that pride again.
And I can’t help someone who refuses to be helped.
“What your life is outside of the library is none of my business. I made assumptions, and I’m sorry if they offended you. But I worry. And in case something was going on in your life that you didn’t feel comfortable talking about, I just wanted you to know there are options. But we never have to talk about it again. Just, please come back inside. Please. I want to read your paper and help you with research, and I have something for you.”
For a full minute, he’s silent, staring into the cascading water. If he steps away, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my hands from grabbing for him.
Luckily, I’m not tested. His gaze drifts to the side, just catching on mine.
“Coffee?”
A grin cracks across my face. “Would you believe they doubled my order again?”
“No,” he mutters but turns to walk back inside. I almost sag against the brick wall, so relieved he didn’t decide to disappear on me. When we pass Amy, who’s leaning against the circulation desk, Jamie doesn’t even acknowledge her. I give her an apologetic wave and receive a reassuring smile in return. I duck into my office to grab the coffee cup and the other thing I’d picked out for him, hoping it’s not another spark to his fuse.
“Coffee.” I place the cup down on the desk beside him. “And one more thing.”
Jamie stares up at me, eyes wary, so I start on the guilting offensive.
“I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but my father passed away when I was younger.”
The kid looks like I slapped him, and I hope I’m not triggering some bad memories for him.
“Recently, my mom had me look through a box of his stuff she planned to donate. This was in it.” I hold up a worn bomber jacket. Maybe I don’t know all the high school fashions, but I’m pretty sure leather jackets never go out of style. “It’s way too big for me, but I don’t like the idea of just giving it away. I wondered if you might be interested?”
“Ms. Pierce…” Jamie’s eyes are wide in what seems to be a kind of wonder. He pushes up from his chair and reaches for the jacket.
The thing fits him perfectly. My dad was a tall guy.
“Don’t feel obligated to take it. I just like the idea of knowing where it ended up.”
Jamie runs his hands over the leather, then shoves his hands in the pockets.
“This is… Thank you.” The kid looks at me with shining eyes, and I have no doubt he appreciates the gift.
“You’re welcome. I’m at the reference desk at four. Come see me. And bring that paper. I wasn’t kidding about wanting to read it.”
Jamie swallows deeply and gives me a nod.
When I get to my office, I check my phone and see two texts waiting for me. The first is from Amy.
Amy:Not the first time I’ve gotten that reaction. But he has my number and some information. Sometimes that’s the best you can do. See you next Wednesday.
That and the fact that I was able to convince Jamie not to run off makes me feel a little better. Then my attention focuses solely on the second text.
