Dennis Larsen - With Cruel Intent

Blanche had a hard time focusing on anything related to the library Friday morning. Her thought drifted and meandered between her impending date with Seymour and the quasi date, hastily arranged, with Jasper for the following evening, or was it a date with Jasper and Rufus, she wasn't quite sure. Thankfully, the decisions on this particular morning, or any morning for that matter, did not dictate life or death, just the ability to find a book, when shelved out of place, or a late fee charged to the wrong account. The librarian had just managed to complete her morning’s work when Marcus wandered through the main foyer on his way to the second floor.

“You’re looking lovely, as per usual, Blanche,” he said, giving her a friendly smile.

“Why thank you my good man,” she retorted, with an English accent.

He could see from her evident glow and demeanor that something was up. “So what’s the deal?”

“What do you mean, what’s the deal? I’m just working my little keister off trying to keep this place in tip top shape,” again with the accent.

“Oh, I think there’s more to it than that. You seem, I don’t know, kinda bubbly,” he said, for lack of a better word.

“Is that a compliment, or bubbly, as in bubble headed beach blonde?” she jokingly replied.

“Both,” he laughed. “No really, you got something going on today?”

“Am I really that easy to read. After all you’ve only known me a short while?”

“I don’t know, you do kinda wear your emotions on your sleeve. But that’s not a bad thing,” he said, as an afterthought.

“If you must know, I have a date tonight that I’m really looking forward to. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a date.”

“Can I ask who with? Do I know him?”

“I think you know him alright, but you must promise me that you won't say anything to Mrs. Anderson, she will likely frown on me dating a coworker,” Blanche said more quietly, looking to make sure they could not be overheard.

“For goodness sake Blanche, don’t tell me you’re going out with Jared, he’s still in high school. Ester will have a conniption and what will his parents say?” he carried on, not giving Blanche a chance to stop him, even though he could see her waving her arms in an attempt to slow him down. “I’ve seen him ogling you and I should have put a stop to it right from the start, but I never dreamed you would agree to dating him. Doesn’t sound like a very good idea to me, nope, no siree,” he finally stopped.

“Marcus, I’m not that stupid. It’s not Jared, it’s Seymour,” she whispered.

“Oh, oh, that’s better. Ain’t he still a little young for you?” he questioned. “Now you just tell me if I'm overstepping my bounds.”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind you being interested, and after all you are sort of my adopted father, apparently. I have been a bit hesitant to encourage Seymour, but he’s just so sweet and I think he likes me for me, and not the other,” she said, looking down at her protruding chest. “Actually looks me in the eyes when we talk, I kind of like that.”

“He’s one hell of a lucky guy, either way, and he’s a good boy to boot.” He reached for Blanche, giving her a hug, and patted her gently on the back.

“Thanks Marcus, your approval is important to me for some crazy reason.”

They chatted about a number of things before Blanche asked, “So what are you up to this morning?”

“I’ve got to check all the safety issues throughout the library today. County safety inspectors are coming the middle of next week. You know, to certify the fire extinguishers, make sure we have the proper signs, that kind of stuff. Has to be done every year so I just double check everything before they show up,” he explained.

“Well, don’t let me hold you up any longer, get to work and I’ll do the same,” she said, returning to her desk.

The attractive young librarian would have been less excited about her day had she known that at the same moment she was discussing her date that two men, Marcus would have been much less approving of, were thinking of Blanche in much more lewd ways.

Lester sat at his plywood desk, his feet pushed against the edge, the chair tipped back on two legs, as he lustfully turned the pages of his newly pilfered book. The thoughts of a naughty librarian stirring his imagination, he looked up from the book long enough to refresh his memory, by looking at the pictures of Blanche pinned to the wall. “Oh yeah babe, won’t be long and you’ll have a real man. The Lester Train is on the tracks and headed your way,” he said, returning his attention to the book before him.

Felix pulled his black Lincoln Town car into the lone parking spot behind Caroline’s and exited the vehicle, a single bag in his hand. He entered through the rear door, off of the kitchen; scarcely making a sound, but no one appeared to be home. Setting the bag at the bottom of the stairs, he hollered, “Anybody here, Caroline you around?”

“Quit yer yelling, I’m a comin', I’m a comin',” Caroline said, scooting down the upper hallway where she’d been doing some cleaning.

“Ms. Carmichael, pleasure to see you again,” he said, turning on the charm.

“Well, I never expected to see your handsome face here this morning,” she said, walking down the stairs and extending her hand.

“Got some work to finish up here in Valdosta over the next couple days and missed your home cooking so much, thought I’d see if you could give me a room.”

“Oh I think I can arrange something fer ya. How long will you be staying and do you want the main floor or the second?” she asked.

“I’m not sure how long, maybe up to a week. Is that librarian still staying here? You know, the good lookin’ one?” he inquired.

“That would be Miss Delaney, oh yeah, she’s still with us. You got your eye on her do you?”

“I wouldn’t mind sharing a bathroom with her again. Of course, if that's okay with you?” he said, with a wink.

“Don’t make no never mind to me who shares what, long as I get paid,” she quipped, motioning for him to pick up his bag and follow her. “The room you were in before is now occupied, some accountant staying in there, but you can have the one that the newlyweds were in, just changed the sheets and cleaned it up fer ya.”

“I’m much obliged. When do I get some of that special fruit salad of yours?” he said, lightly tapping her on the bottom as she turned to walk out of the room.

“You devil, teasing an old lady when all you're really after is her fruit salad,” she said, shaking her large, round bottom at him. “Dinner is at 6:30 sharp. See you then.”

* * *

The remainder of the librarian's day passed as most did, kids and adults coming and going from the library. Blanche had instituted a new afternoon reading program for preschool aged children that she was very much enjoying. Throughout the week when she had a few spare minutes, she would browse the children’s section, looking for books that might entertain the little ones, then on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. parents were invited to bring their children for a reading of these selected books. The first couple of weeks the attendance had been limited but today she had to ask Mr. Marcus to bring in additional chairs for the adults and mats for the children. She enjoyed looking out at the smiling, beaming little faces that were just now learning to have a love of literature.

Today she had chosen, ‘The Marvelous Mind of Marlin Marsh’ written by H. Broby. She held the book so the children could see the colorful illustrations as she read each page, exaggerating the key words, and changing her voice to the delight of the children. A sense of accomplishment and joy filled her heart as the young parents thanked her at the end of the session. Telling her how much their children were enjoying these special Friday afternoons. Blanche couldn’t help but wonder if one day she’d have a chance to share her love of books with her own small children.