AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She ignores me again and points at the wall. “For every book they read before Labor Day, including books they read to the dogs, the kids get to move their dogs one space. At the end of the summer, they get a prize based on how many books they read.”
“Nice.” I have a vague memory of the library where I grew up doing something similar, only with dolphins.
“On regular Saturdays, we have storytimes for the kids,” she continues. “Different sessions for different age groups. I don’t know if you know this, but the local high school doesn’t have a very high graduation rate. My goal is to get kids reading and get them help with school work from a young age so they’re not tempted to drop out.”
She leads me toward some glassed-in rooms to the side. “These rooms are community meeting spaces. Anyone can sign up to use them—local charities, kids working on school projects together, knitting groups, whatever. And our volunteer tutors use these rooms when they meet with the kids.”
“You’re clearly doing a lot of good work here,” I tell her, sincerely. “And it’s a beautiful building. Downstairs especially looks like a classic library.”
“It is a nice old building,” Blaze agrees, sounding wistful. “It was built in the late 1800s, same time as the town hall. This was a pretty prosperous town once. But the lumber trade faded, and the best and brightest went where there were better jobs. It’s only just now starting to recover.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” I tell her.
She looks at me. “What’s that?”
“You want me to see that the library is doing good work. And it is,” I tell her sincerely. “No way am I going to argue otherwise. But I’ve worked three shifts in the last four days because we don’t have enough men, and I can’t hire more until we have space to put them. You know this isn’t personal, right?”
For some reason, it’s important to me that she understands that. That if it were up to me, we’d both get everything we needed.
She blows out a long breath. “I get it. One building, two good causes.” Her expression darkens. “And one bad one.”
“Right, anything new on that front?”
“Not yet,” she admits. “Still digging.”
“Cool.” I don’t really know what else to say, and the silence between us drags out a little longer than is comfortable.
Blaze breaks it. “Anyway, thanks for bringing Jackie. We always get more kids than dogs to this, and it’s nice when they don’t have to wait too long. Oh, hey, Nessa!” She motions at the skinny shelter volunteer as she walks by.
Nessa recognizes me and smiles. “Hey!” she says as she comes over. “How’s Jackie doing?”
I point over at Jackie, who is sitting comfortably on Trip’s lap listening intently to Sam-I-Am. “He’s a great little guy. Really glad you set me up with him.”
Nessa claps her hands. “So glad! I knew you two were made for each other. Can I get a photo of you and Jackie too when they’re done and use it in our newsletter? We love to showcase our happy endings.”
“Absolutely. If it’s okay with Trip’s mom, maybe you could get a photo of them too,” I suggest, indicating the little boy and the dog.
“Great idea,” she agrees.
“You’ll mention the library in your newsletter, won’t you?” I ask, hoping to throw a little publicity Blaze’s way.
“Oh, of course!” Nessa says. “We nonprofits have to support each other, right?” She grins at Blaze. “And this is such a great program. Sammy’s collected three adoption applications already!” She indicates a young man with a ponytail who is talking to a couple and a little girl who has her arms wrapped around the border collie I remember from the shelter.
So many good causes, and never enough time, money, or space. I sigh to myself.
Trip and his mother come back over, Crystal gushing over how well-behaved Jackie is and not missing the opportunity to let her fingers brush against mine as she hands back his leash.
Nessa snaps some more photos, and I turn to say goodbye to Blaze but she’s on the other side of the room now, crouching beside a little girl and offering her a couple of different books to choose from. I catch her eye and wave. She gives me a friendly smile but doesn’t stand up.
Fair enough. She’s got work to do. I pick Jackie up and head back outside into the warm June air, where I put him down again and we head for home.
In a perfect world, the fire department would get the Addison and the library would get the funds it needs… I look down at Jackie, loping unevenly down the sidewalk, and think of his missing leg.
I guess sometimes life isn’t fair.
15
BLAZE
