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For the next hour, she and Marilyn talked about her ideas—from inviting the high school English and art students to create a mural in the entryway to digitizing the Gardenia House’s records and history. They discussed programming spaces to accommodate story and activity times for special needs children; a health-and-wellness section that could include yoga classes and check-outs of portable fitness equipment; and working with medical services to create memory kits for people with Alzheimer’s. They brainstormed teen programs for movies, books, sports, and theater; the potential of a rotating “art wall” showcasing local artists; and classes on everything from soapmaking to quilting and seed-growing.
“I’ve written up an outline of some ideas in this.” Bee handed Marilyn a stapled packet of papers. “And there’s one more thing…”
Her courage faltered, and her palms grew clammy. Marilyn looked up from glancing through the packet.
“One more thing?” she prompted.
“I know I don’t have the qualifications you require, but I’d like to apply for an information specialist position at the Media and Tech Center,” Bee said in a rush, her heart thumping. She wiped her hands on her skirt. “I know you and I have had our differences, but I’ve come to see all the potential of the plan, and I know it’s important for me to learn more about digital technologies. So I’m willing to take classes on programming or computer science or whatever, and I can give you my résumé and references…”
Her voice faded as Marilyn shook her head, her lips pursed.
“I’m sorry, Bee,” she said, tapping her fingernails on the packet. “I can’t accept your application.”
Bee’s heart plummeted, but she forced herself to nod. Even if she did have a place in the Media Center, it was her own fault for burning too many bridges. “I understand.”
“No, I don’t think you do.” Marilyn leaned forward, setting the packet on the table. “It’s true that your qualifications are different from those of an information specialist, but you have a number of extremely valuable skills. I’ve been so focused on the technology aspect that I’ve neglected to consider that the Media and Tech Center will also have a great deal of both books and people. And we need someone to be in charge of day-to-day operations. We need someone dedicated to implementing programs for the community, overseeing multiple services, and taking care of the book collections, the archives, and the patrons. We need someone fun, creative, and caring like you. So Bee, I want you to be the head librarian of the Media and Tech Center.”
Bee stared at her. “You’re serious?”
Marilyn smiled. “No one is more qualified for this than you. I want you to be involved in not only planning the actual physical spaces but also creating programs like the ones we’ve been talking about. With all you’ve done at the Gardenia House, you know better than anyone what kind of spaces and amenities people want. You’ll have to go through the formal application process, but everyone will know the job is yours if you want it. Bliss Cove needs the Media and Tech Center, but more importantly, we all needyou.”
Bee swallowed past a sudden lump in her throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes would be a good start.”
“Yes.” The word burst out of her as a laugh. “Yes.I would love to apply for the head librarian position. Thank you so much. There’s just one…um, this is probably pushing my luck, but there’s one more thing.”
Marilyn lifted her eyebrows in inquiry.
“I really think it should still be called the Bliss Cove Library,” Bee said in a rush.
Marilyn laughed. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
* * *
Though the Gardenia House remained open at the beginning of November, Bee received a notification after the next town council meeting that the library would have to move to a temporary location so they could get the house assessed and ready for the market.
With the approval of many townspeople, especially Bee, the council members had agreed to put conditions on the sale—the new owner would be asked to maintain the house’s original structure as much as possible and would not be allowed to demolish it.
Bee hoped the conditions would attract potential buyers who loved and wanted to preserve the old architecture.
Later this month, she would park the bookmobile in the square to allow people access to a rotating series of books. Skyline College had offered one of its buildings to house the rest of the library’s collection, and the Historical Museum secured a climate-controlled warehouse for the furnishings and historical items.
Adam returned to Los Angeles to give notice about leavingHex or Hoax?and say goodbye to his friends and colleagues. Since he also had to move out of his apartment and pack up his life there, he was gone for most of the month.
Bee talked to him every day, and they texted each other often. When he returned, he would stay with her in her apartment. In terms of an actual calendar, they were still moving fast, but in terms of the strange mysticism that had brought them together, everything was right on time.
Though Adam had intended to be back before the library closed for good right before Thanksgiving, he messaged her that he’d gotten into some meetings with the Explorer Channel executives and might not make it.
So on her last day of work, Bee drove to the Gardenia House alone. All of the assistants had already ended their employment, and no one was waiting on the front porch when she arrived a little before nine.
As she walked up the hill, her heart constricted a little. She tilted her head to look at the proud, old house. The cupola sat at the top like a crown, bright with shadowless sunshine.
Inside, empty cardboard boxes were stacked beside the shelves, waiting to be filled with books. The process of moving would give Bee the opportunity to sort through the entire collection, weeding out old resources that were no longer used or relevant.
Puffalump sprang down from his bed and stalked over to greet her. She bent and rubbed him between the ears.
“Just you and me today, Puff,” she murmured.
