Yeah… I have issues.
8
The Grandson Effect
Even after the sleeping pill, I found myself still tossing and turning around in my sheets, but eventually fell asleep. Woke up better, though.
Justin time for lunch, during which my dad kept stealing glances in my direction to make sure I was doing better. I do love my dad with all my heart.
But I’m hyped up. It’s Patty’s library, my favorite spot in town!
I finish my breakfast enthusiastically, which raises my dad’s and sister’s eyebrows. I go brush my teeth and make my way to the village’s library.
As I enter, I smell that familiar scent of old books. I immediately spot Miss Patty at the reception desk located to my right. She’s a small and thin lady, but a very sweet one. With that headfullof grey hair and glasses too big for her face, she has the kindest smile. She is wearing a pink flowy skirt that reachesa little far down her knees and a white shirt with a badge sayingPatty W. She may be old, but her spirit isyoung. She dresses like we’re in the 50s, and her head full of hair is always in a hairstyle that comes out of a fashion magazine from that time.
“Hi, Miss Patty!” I’m smiling so much that I wonder how my cheeks are not hurting.
“Oh, hi Maddie! Look at you, all ready to work, and looking good too!” I blush at that comment. “Well, you can start by organizing that pile of books and putting them on the respective shelves.”
I make my way to the books and start organizing them. Not many people come to the library, but I never get bored because Miss Patty always has a new book for me to read.
After my task is done, I go to her asking with curiosity and an innocent smile, “Do you have any new books?”
“Always looking for books. Maddie, as much as I love books as you do, youhaveto spend some time outside, enjoying the air and hanging out with people of your age, and not with an incredibly beautiful andolderlady.” She says, tossing her hair absentmindedly over her shoulders.
“Hey, I go outside!” I say defensively and with a curve appearing on my lips. “I’m more focused on the book than on the fresh air, but Idogo outside. And I don’t mind spending time with you at all.” Now I’m fully smiling.
There actually are a lot of people my age in this village, which is more than enough for me to make friends. I just never bothered. As a kid, I was shy, and since I discovered books, I became even more antisocial. The only friend I really had was Allison.
“As a wise man once said,It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. He was kind of evil, but hewasa genius.” Miss Patty quotes to me. We have almost the same opinions on books, like thinking Albus Dumbledore was pretty messedup, but agenius. We could talk about a single book for hours. She would always read the new books for teenagers with me, so we could discuss them later. She’s a very literate person. She can read those boring books about political impacts and non-fiction about wars just as much as she can read my soft and cute romance books where they hold hands and ride off into the sunset.
“I guess you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” She responds, winking at me. “But since you asked, I do have a pile of books over there that came yesterday and have your face on it.”
I walk to the pile and see which books I haven’t read. From that pile, I already read The Selection, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, The Fault In Our Stars, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and… Wait! I haven’t read this one. On The Fence. Interesting title. I decide I will take it as soon as I finish the one I’m reading right now.
“My grandson loves reading too. God, that makes me sound old.”
I always knew Miss Patty had a grandson; she never stopped talking about him, but I’ve never met him, against all odds.
“Not many boys read nowadays.”
“Oh, he is a very sweet and interesting person.”
“I know, you’ve mentioned it before.” I smile and send her a pointed look.
“What can I say? I am a very proud grandma. But I bet you didn’t know that he plays the electric guitar!”
I love the electric guitar…
“I didn’t, actually.”
“I can’t think of another person who’s so obsessed with music like he is.”
“You’re hurting my feelings, dear ol’Miss Patty.” I fake a southern accent.
“Call me old one more time, and I will hurt more than your feelings.” She warns, dimples showing. “And I’m sorry, Maddie, I forgot. He also loves rock…”
