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ONE
ELLIE
Ellie sipped her coffee, taking in the library and the burst of students coming and going in a rush. She enjoyed the quiet yet constant whispers that surrounded her in her day-to-day life.
She'd been working at the Scaramouche University Library for several years now and got along splendidly with her coworkers and the students. She felt lucky to have found her job, given how hard it was to land.
This week was extra busy since midterms were right around the corner. There were the kids she knew had been cramming every week of the semester, and then there were the ones that were on their phones, expecting the knowledge to leap from their unopened notes.
Her job had also taken a busy turn with everything from returned books to cleaning spilled energy drinks. It kept her on her toes.
The library consisted of four floors. The space was breathtaking, with a large glass dome that dripped the room in a scattered array of assorted colors. The high vaulted ceilings and the rows and rows of books certainly took your breath away.
From the dome, she could see each floor and the hundreds of students that looked around for answers to their questions.
She stood at the check-out counter, scanning in the returned books, trying to be quick. She almost missed the person standing at the counter, holding a grin.
"Afternoon, darling."
She turned, dropping several books, which echoed all around. She cringed as several students turned toward her. She felt a flush roll over her before she looked toward the lady.
Gerri Wilder.
She was a fashionable, neatly kept woman who donated books on a regular basis. She always came in with a large tote filled to the brim with popular authors and new upcoming writers she thought deserved a second home in the library.
Her silver hair in her signature bob was just below her chin line, looking like she had just stepped out of a salon in her stylish pantsuit. Ellie couldn't deny she was a little jealous at how put-together Gerri always looked. She made it seem effortless.
She took a breath in and smiled. "Gerri, long time no see. How are you?"
Gerri smiled in return, showing her perfect white teeth. "I'm fabulous, darling. I hope life is treating you well."
“It always is.” Ellie loved her life. She was surrounded by books and people that loved them. She always felt a sudden pang of happiness when someone asked her a question, and she knew the answer.
But as much as she loved her job, it didn't leave room for much else. She spent a lot of time at work, and afterward, she spent her time at home.
She wanted to widen her horizons, but she had bills and not much money to throw around after. So she spent much of her time reading books at home.
Gerri opened her tote and set the books out. As she placed them down, Ellie read the names, going over each and taking them in. Most of the books they didn't have, but she knew they could always use doubles.
"The Grapes of Wrath,The Saga of Gosta Berling,The Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories." Gerri must have been going through a classic faze for the month.
She froze when Gerri placed another stack down, and the top book readThe Sot-Weed Factorby John Barth.
Her eyes widened, and they flew up to Gerri. Gerri, in turn, recognized the book.
"Oh my goodness." She grabbed the book, a blush rolling over her. "That was not meant to be put in this tote bag. I swear sometimes I don't have my head on straight."
She slipped the bag back into the tote, pulling it off the counter.
Ellie's mouth just hung open, still stunned. She couldn't see Gerri hanging with someone who would read something obscurely satirical like that book. She knew her face probably didn't look the best, and she tried to hide her shock.
"That's actually a gift for a close friend of mine." She chuckled. "I'm seeing him after this and must have just thrown it into the bag instead of my purse. I apologize."
She couldn't believe her. It made her question what kind of friends she had for them to read something like that book. She couldn't say she knew Gerri, but she thought she had over the years of seeing her come in and them chatting.
She opened her mouth to speak but suddenly didn't know what to say. She snapped it shut instead and tried to smile again.
A kid walked up to the counter, and she turned to help them. She needed a second to compose herself, but she could feel Gerri's eyes watching her.
