We're All in the Same Boat

                I was having a crazy morning, running too far too fast: dog walk, coffee pick- up, book selection, a sprinkle of errands, all before a ten am appointment. 

                Did I mention that the library opened at 9am? 

                I whisked into the library, scanned the shelves for a charming, informative book for my ESL student and found it. I was grateful for the ease and perfection of the moment. I powered to the counter at 9:12, enough time to change my clothes and be ready for my client.

                “Your library card?”

                “My – uh no,” I flipped through my wallet. “Oh – “ I looked imploringly at the gentle face behind the counter.

                “You need your card,” he smiled.

                “Oh."

                He still smiled.

               "But, I just returned two books; they are still in the bin. That proves I am who I am,” I offered. I think tourists checked out too many un-returned books, so now you must have a library card.

                “I’m sorry,” he appeared to genuinely offer. “I can hold them -"

                “Oh, I need one  for my 10 am appointment. I don't have time to come back," I stalled and scanned my mind. "Can you hold them while I look in my car?”

                “Sure.”

                I knew my card wasn’t in my car, but the walk gave me a chance to plead to the Goddess of Serendipity to please let my card be in my car console.

                The card wasn’t in the console.

                I returned inside the library, defeated but accepting. This was my poor planning; my unimpressive last minuteness; not the librarian's. Plus, I really liked the guy that worked in the library; he was sweet and gentle. Always. And I came to the library a lot.

                He was holding the two books that I had returned a moment ago in his hand, “It’s, ok,” he said.

                “I don’t have my card,” I simultaneously spouted.

                "Katharine, Brenton?"

                "Yes," I automatically confirmed. Then I heard him. In hope, I ventured, “Really?”

                “Yeah,” he smiled. “We could all use a break, yeah?”

                “Yeah. Oh, yes. Thank you,” I brimmed over.

                 I know it isn't the biggest of things, but in the moment it was. It altered my day from catastrophic to serendipitous.

                Oh, and here's the book:

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