13/10/2001 - 11:49 p.m.

Part 3

She realised quite suddenly that she had absolutely nothing that really needed doing. That was a lovely feeling. She could do whatever she liked for the first time in weeks.

"I'll finish that book I was reading," she thought, picking it up from the table in front of her. Glancing at the cover, she saw the due date staring back at her, mocking. Looked like a forced trip to the library if she'd ever seen one.

"Figures. The minute I think I can actually finish a book, it's due yesterday. Means I can't check them out again too."

Lisa gathered the two other books, grabded her coat, and headed back out the door. On the corner, she waited with a silent teenage boy for the bus. The silent ones drove her nuts, she never knew if they were getting ready to do something horrid or not. The ones that talked wouldn't do anything, and the ones doing stupid things could be trusted to do little else, but the silent ones, well, she was very glad when the bus came.

On the way, she toyed with the idea of trying to read one of the books. She knew it would only make turning it back in more wrenching, or, if it proved to be a lousy book, she'd be upset about paying the late fee. She thought back to all those stupid television shows where boy meets girl by running into her at the library, books scattering everywhere. It was a nice thought, but, glancing at the couple making out in the seat across from her, Lisa knew it didn't happen anymore.

She got off the bus and walked into the library. The damned sensors beeped, just like she knew they would. She hated that, in the quiet of the library a huge gashing loud noise, just to announce to the world entire that somebody didn't return their books on time. She especially loved the little book cop who came up to see what was going on.

"Late return?" he asked.

"Yes, three books," she replied. "I can pay the 75 cents."

He stood aside and she walked to the desk. The guy behind the counter glanced at the titles as he rung up the charge.

"I've been meaning to read that," he said, glancing at the book she had started.

"Well, you can have your chance now."

"Was it good?" He handed her the bill.

"I don't know, I hardly got to start it," she replied, fishing through her pockets for another quarter.

"Oh, that's too bad."

"Yeah, well, such is life."

"You can check it out again in two weeks."

"No I can't," she said. "I've got a wedding in two weeks. I promised I'd be there."

"So, you'd rather read the book?"

"Yes, but what do you care?"

"Nothing," he replied.

She found the quarter and handed it to him. "Well, here. Hope you're happy."

"Not really," he replied.

"Well, tough shit anyway." She turned and walked towards the exit.

"Lisa!" came a loud whisper behind her. She turned. "You forgot your library card!"

She walked back to the desk and grabbed him by the shirt and read his nametag.

"Hi Evan!" she said, right in his face. He was obviously not expecting that. "Listen, Evan, did you like that very much?" she asked, releasing him.

"No."

"Well, now you know how much I appreciate you calling out the name on my library card. How do you know I don't have some other name, and this one the Witness Protection Program people left out, huh?"

"I don't."

"Well then, don't do that again."

Go to Part 4

Go to Part 2