It looked to be what Mama and the older librarians always called an excitement read. I was surprised that the magazine had been shelved and thought for sure it would’ve been banned by the elders in the community. Yet, here it was in my gloved hands, with the bold, nearly bare-chested, beautiful woman staring right back at me. The title down to the left read: “Janet Leigh: A Marriage and A New Career.”
Again, I darted my eyes around the library, making sure no one was watching. I had to read this excitement read about this pretty lady. Mama always said, You grow readers, expand minds, if you let them choose, but you go banning a read, you stunt the whole community.
Quickly, I hid the Life magazine in my pile of reading material and hurried to check everything out.
Librarian Mrs. Martin came over to the counter, and I handed her my library card. “Get you some good reads today, Honey?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, itching to leave.
Miss Foster came up behind her and said, “I’ll check Honey out, Mrs. Martin, if you’ll go help Mr. Wilson. He’s looking for a good detective novel for himself and a nice read for Elizabeth. Maybe show him the latest by Rex Stout.” Miss Foster picked up my reading material and straightened it. “Let’s see what treasures you’ve found today, Honey. I can remember Cussy bringing you in, and you couldn’t even reach the counter. The years have flown and you grow taller each time I see you. You must be, what, sixteen, seventeen, by now? Not too much younger than your mama when she first came to work for us,” she chatted on.
I could feel my face warm as she separated the reads. What would she say about the magazine? But when she came across the Life, the librarian didn’t say a word. Instead, she continued stamping the checkout cards for me. When she was done, she neatly set the material to the side and handed me back my card. Suddenly, Miss Foster wrinkled her brow. “Oh my, I almost forgot.” She inspected my reading material and placed a palm over the stack. “Please step into my office a minute so I might have a word with you, Honey?”
My face burned with embarrassment. Would she scold me for wanting the excitement read or, worse, ban me from the library?
“It’ll only take a minute.” She stepped over to her office door and held it open, waiting.
I looked around, searching for a distraction, anyone to help me. A few elders browsed books. Another was seated at the table while Mrs. Martin helped Mr. Wilson select his books.
“Promise it’ll only take a few minutes,” Miss Foster said.
I walked around the counter to her office, my heart thumping so hard I feared it could be heard.
Once inside the cramped room, Miss Foster shut the door and seated herself behind the desk. “Have a seat, Honey.” She pointed to the chair across from her, shuffling papers and moving a stack of books to the side.
Turning behind to a narrow table, she picked up two books. “I ordered these for you after you mentioned how much you loved the poetry books last fall. And I recall Cussy telling me you write some fine poetry. You must because you have excellent taste in reading material. Most excellent. Just like Cussy.”
Grateful, I took the books from her, studying the cover of The Poetry of Ezra Pound. “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll take good care of these.” I smiled, relieved she didn’t scold me.
“Let’s finish checking you out,” she said, pleased with her selection.
Outside, I packed the reads inside the pannier and patted Junia’s shoulder. Devil John called from across the road in front of the farrier’s building. He walked over to me. “My horse threw a shoe coming down the trail, and I’m waiting for a new one from the blacksmith. Glad I caught you when I did. You’ve saved me a trip.”
“What is it? Have you heard news from—”
He raised a hand. “Everything’s fine, Honey. Your father had a visit with his lawyer, Evan Faust, and also Bob Morgan. They had him fill out a form and sign a letter saying he gave custody to Loretta Adams. Next, Bob’ll file the application for guardianship with a judge here. He wants ya to meet him on the steps of the courthouse, March 12 at twelve thirty. Get this mess fixed so you’ll be safe.”